Tag: UNDESA

UN DESA Monthly Newsletter for September 2025

 

A decade of change: How the SDGs are transforming     the lives of millions worldwide
Amid the shimmering heat and sleek skyline of Manama, Bahrain, Eman Fareed methodically pinches off bits of dough and spaces the soon-to-be cookies evenly on a baking tray in her kitchen. A retired civil servant and a mother, she opened her own business. “I named my company ‘Brown Sugar’ because I am Brown and I like sugar,” Fareed says, laughing. 

The enterprise emerged as a result of her passion for sweets and the support of Kaaf Humanitarian. This Bahraini non-profit has become a grassroots model for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by empowering individuals and communities to achieve self-reliance.

“They show me how to go in my life,” Fareed adds as tears roll down her cheeks. “This is a story I will tell my child, how I become a good and a strong woman.”

Eman Fareed is just one among the millions of people whose lives have continued to improve in the 10 years since the world embarked on one of its most ambitious journeys yet – achieving the SDGs.

Her story, featured by UN News, serves as a reminder that behind the 17 bright-colored tiles are more than eight billion people who deserve and strive for a prosperous, dignified and fulfilling future – on a healthy and thriving planet.

Much progress has been made

Since 2015, when the historic 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development became a lighthouse, guiding global efforts to create a better future for all, many people’s stories have been changed for the better.

Behind the bright red tile of SDG 1: No Poverty are the 4.2 billion people, or 52.4 per cent of the world’s population, who now have access to at least one social protection benefit. This is an increase of 10 percentage points since the SDGs were launched. Over the past decade, the bottom 40 per cent of populations in most countries experienced higher income and consumption growth than the national average. Internet use expanded from 40 per cent in 2015 to 68 per cent in 2024 – connecting millions more to opportunities for education, work and participation in politics and beyond.

“We have seen a significant decline in child marriage, and maternal and child mortality rates have fallen,” said UN DESA Under-Secretary-General Li Junhua. At this intersection of SDG 5: Gender Equality and SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being, are the millions of lives saved, and the millions of deaths prevented.

Behind the crimson tile of SDG 4: Quality Education are the 110 million more children who have entered school since 2015. Over the past 10 years, schooling completion rates have been rising at all levels of education, and the gender gap has been continuously narrowing.

This list of advances made in the name of the SDGs over the past decade is far from complete: many more have been made, and many more lives have been improved. Such inspiring progress comes as a result of a years-long national and international effort.

Since 2015, 190 countries, plus the European Union, have presented their Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) at least once, demonstrating a global commitment to working toward the 2030 Agenda, promoting accountability and sharing good practices and lessons learned from the ground up.

“These are not isolated wins. They are signs of momentum. Signs that multilateralism can deliver,” said UN Secretary‑General António Guterres.

Five more years ahead

Still, the roadblocks on the way to a safer and more equal future for all persist.

“Despite these important gains, the convergence of conflicts, climate chaos, geopolitical tensions, and economic shocks continue to obstruct progress at the pace and scale needed to meet our 2030 commitments,” Mr. Li said.

According to this year’s Sustainable Development Goals Report, only 35 per cent of SDG targets are on track or making moderate progress. Nearly half are moving too slowly, and 18 per cent are going backwards. But it is not a reason for desperation. Instead, it is a call for more urgent action.

“The Sustainable Development Goals are not a dream. They are a plan – a plan to keep our promises to the most vulnerable people, to each other, and to future generations,” Mr. Guterres said. “With five years left, it’s time to transform these sparks of transformation into a blaze of progress – for all countries. Let us act with determination, justice and direction. And let’s deliver on development – for people and for planet.”

Expert Voices

Why the way we measure poverty matters

Around the world, over 800 million people live in extreme poverty and 1.1 billion people are still living in multidimensional poverty. As part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, efforts are ongoing to improve the situation and to once and for all eradicate poverty. But why does the way we measure poverty matter for global efforts towards its eradication? We asked Sabina Alkire, Director of the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative at the University of Oxford, to explain.

Why does the way we measure poverty matter?

“We measure poverty, fundamentally, to provide essential information required to guide actions that reduce poverty and to evaluate whether poverty has gone down.

One aspect of poverty is clearly monetary. As Amartya Sen put it, money is a general-purpose means that enables people to access many important things. However, many people cannot build a road if there is none nearby, nor build and run a school or health clinic or create decent jobs for their family. They might not even be able to draw water or electricity to their house or improve its flooring and fix the roof.

We measure multidimensional poverty to guide actions for people whose capabilities are constrained in several overlapping ways (maybe related to health and nutrition, education, housing, work or security) at the same time.”

In your work, you address the measurement of multidimensional poverty. What does that mean?

“Following Sen again, a poverty measure first sets the space or ingredients of poverty. A multidimensional poverty index – or MPI – usually consults the protagonists (people experiencing poverty) as well as government actors and identifies a core set of deprivations that tend to comprise poverty.

Next a measure identifies who is poor. In our case, people who have a critical mass of deprivations at the same time are identified as multidimensionally poor. It aggregates this information across people so that we can assess which groups are poorest – by age, location, gender, disability status, race and ethnicity and so on. Anti-poverty actions can then target the poorest groups or households.

To guide actions that reduce poverty, we break down MPI by its component indicators. Knowing the structure of poverty – how many poor people are deprived in each indicator, and which indicator combinations are most common – empowers actors to design cost-effective and integrated policy responses.

Finally, the measures are updated regularly, to see whether poverty reduced, and whether the poorest groups reduced poverty the fastest – which means poverty reduction can be celebrated as leaving no one behind, and new goals set for the next period.”

What opportunities does the Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD2) create in this area?

“MPIs, which emerged since the 1995 Copenhagen World Summit for Social Development (WSSD1), are a potentially powerful and central tool to advance WSSD2 aims. We hope that WSSD2 will create opportunities to share the potential contribution that multidimensional poverty metrics can have going forward – for example by advancing multiple interconnected SDGs efficiently until 2030 and LNOB.

We hope that future global goals will assess poverty reduction using absolute and relative changes, and changes in the number of people living in poverty – so the diagnoses of success acknowledge progress in the poorest places. And we hope that WSSD2 will also engage MPIs, as much current research does, when overlaying poverty and climate hazards, analysing gendered patterns of poverty, discussing left-behind groups like children, and prioritising poverty data needs.

In fiscally tight times, we need clear, accurate, highly policy relevant metrics that illuminate WSSD2’s high priority areas and diagnose success. MPI might be an option to consider.”

For more information on MPIs: What is the global MPI?

For details on WSSD2: Second World Summit on Social Development

Sabina Alkire is Director of the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) at the University of Oxford; and a member of the Committee for Development Policy (CDP).

Photo credit: John Cairns Photography

Things You Need To Know

7 things you should know about accelerating social progress

 

As the world prepares for the Second World Summit for Social Development in November in Qatar, momentum is building to accelerate social progress. The need to put people at the center of development has never been more urgent. Inequality, exclusion, insecurity, and mistrust in institutions are rising, but so too is global demand to build a more inclusive and resilient future. Here are seven things you should know about accelerating social progress:

1. It’s about people, not just policies

Social progress means ensuring that everyone, across generations, regions, and communities, can live with dignity, opportunity, and security. It is driven by investments in education, decent work, health, housing, and social protection.

2. Social development is a catalyst

Inclusive societies are safer, stronger, and more stable. With well-designed social policies, communities can navigate crucial transitions, digital, demographic, and ecological, fairly and effectively. Partnerships with think tanks and academia provide the research and evidence needed for effective, people-centred policy.

3. Social progress and a healthy planet go hand in hand

A just green transition must put people and the planet first, lifting communities while safeguarding ecosystems. Social progress cannot come at the cost of our environment; rather, it is about creating sustainable futures for all.

4. Social progress is not automatic
Left unattended, inequalities deepen. Advancing social progress requires deliberate choices: inclusive policies, strong institutions, and collective action. Governments, civil society, the private sector, and individuals all share responsibility to break cycles of poverty and exclusion.

5. Digital transformation must advance inclusion

The digital revolution and artificial intelligence (AI) are reshaping societies. To accelerate progress, these innovations must go hand-in-hand with trust, ethics, and universal access, ensuring that technology empowers rather than excludes.

6. The 2030 Agenda is at stake
Poverty eradication, full employment and decent work, and social integration — the three pillars of the Summit — are also central to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Accelerating social progress is essential to rescuing the 2030 Agenda.

7. Everyone has a voice
The UN’s global campaign, Accelerating Social Progress, invites people everywhere to share what social progress means to them. From young innovators to older persons, from workers to caregivers, these voices are shaping the vision of a more inclusive world.

The Summit in Doha will be a historic moment to recommit to people-centred multilateralism and chart a path toward a fairer, more secure, and more sustainable future.

Share your voice here by 8 September 2025 on what social progress means to you.

Learn more and join the conversation here: Second World Summit for Social Development.

Photo credit: UNHCR

 

SDG Blog

Ten years of the Sustainable Development Goals: progress, setbacks, and a path forward

By Bjørg Sandkjær, Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Coordination, UN DESA

As we mark the tenth anniversary of the Sustainable Development Goals, it’s time for both reflection and renewed determination. Over the next five years, we must protect hard-won gains and accelerate action – so no child is pushed into poverty by a crisis, no worker is trapped in insecurity, and no household is left behind by transitions.

The numbers – compiled by UN DESA in our annual Sustainable Development Goals Report – tell a compelling story of progress since the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted in 2015.

Today, over half the global population has access to some form of social protection – an important step towards improving people’s wellbeing. More than 90 per cent of people worldwide now have electricity, while Internet access has jumped by 70 per cent since 2015. We’re seeing more girls completing school as gender gaps in education continue to narrow.

These numbers represent millions of lives transformed, opportunities created, and barriers broken down.

What is particularly encouraging is how science, technology, and innovation have become central to how countries approach development. Through platforms like the STI Forum, we’re witnessing how innovation can make development more inclusive, especially for those often left behind – including in small island developing States and Least Developed Countries.

But the reality is that only about a third of SDG targets are on track, and 18 per cent are moving in the wrong direction. This is a wake-up call. The world faces extraordinary challenges – conflicts, climate chaos, economic instability – that test our collective resolve.

Inequalities remain stubbornly high and many people struggle to earn adequate incomes in precarious jobs. As UN DESA’s World Social Report 2025 shows, people’s frustration is turning into distrust and straining the foundations of social cohesion and global solidarity.

The hopeful truth is that we know what works: sustained investment in quality public services; universal social protection; decent work and productive employment; and institutions that are inclusive, accountable and trusted.

Progress happens where there’s strong leadership, smart and sustained investment, and genuine inclusion. We’ve seen this formula succeed across diverse contexts, proving that the SDGs are achievable.

As we approach the final stretch to 2030, the choice before us is clear: retreat into fragmentation or advance with solidarity and cooperation. The recent successful Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Sevilla showed that the global community can still come together to address systemic challenges – from the $4 trillion SDG financing gap to reforming international financial architecture.

The upcoming Second World Summit on Social Development can lead to concrete actions and key investments in people, in social protection and  in public services. The process of the Summit is as important as its outcomes – the Summit can help restore people’s trust in institutions if we see wide participation from all stakeholders, and if people are informed about the commitments made and the actions being taken to meet these commitments.

Multilateral cooperation is not a luxury – it is a practical necessity for the future we want. The next five years will define whether we deliver on the promise of leaving no one behind.

The SDGs were designed because our greatest challenges are shared. Our solutions must be as well.

 

Read more here: https://desapublications.un.org/un-desa-voice/september-2025

 

UN DESA Monthly Newsletter for July 2025

Advancing the global goals together

“The multilateral system is the best we’ve got. There is no other system that can help us to deal with our global problems,” says Bob Rae, President of the Economic and Social Council and Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations. As the international community is getting ready to convene for the 2025 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development this month, Ambassador Rae stresses the opportunities for multilateral action.

“The Pact for the Future, as well as the SDG Political Declaration of 2023, have given us the chance to define a common vision to advance sustainable development. Now is the time to reaffirm our collective commitment to the 2030 Agenda and to take decisive action to address today’s interlocking crises,” says Mr. Rae.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are shared pathway to building an inclusive, peaceful, thriving and healthy world for all. We must act now, and act boldly. With only five years remaining, we cannot afford to lose momentum on our 2030 promise. The time for words has passed, now is the time for action.

This call to action comes at a moment of global urgency. The world is facing multiple, overlapping crises—from conflict and economic slowdown to rising inequalities, and an accelerating climate emergency. The implementation of the SDGs has become more critical than ever. Alarming, acute hunger reached a record high in 2025 with 343 million people experiencing severe food insecurity. According to the United Nations, the number of forcibly displaced people reached 122.1 million by the end of April 2025.

“Urgent action is critical to reverse alarming trends and consolidate hard-won gains,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres. “While progress has been uneven and limited on several Goals, notable achievements across regions and countries demonstrate that change is possible.”

Even though extreme poverty has declined around the world despite the profound impact of the global pandemic, there are still over 700 million people living in extreme poverty, and the risk of falling into, or back into, poverty remains high, driven by compounded shocks and crises.

This year’s UN Ocean Conference, Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, Second World Summit for Social Development, and the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) provide important opportunities to strengthen and revitalize multilateralism. In an increasingly interconnected world, these global gatherings serve as essential platforms for fostering inclusive, coordinated, and effective international cooperation for both people and the planet.

As UN DESA’s Under-Secretary-General Li Junhua said, “bold actions are essential to turn the corner and show the world that multilateralism can still deliver.”

Countdown to 2030: How the HLPF is turning commitment into action and impact

On the cusp of the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which launched the Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs), thirty-seven countries will present bold actions they have taken to advance the SDGs at the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, to be held on 14-23 July at UN Headquarters in New York.

Under the theme, Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for leaving no one behind, the HLPF will review in depth Goals 3 (good health and well-being), 5 (gender equality), 8 (decent work and economic growth), 14 (life below water) and 17 (partnerships for the goals) will be reviewed in depth.

The HLPF will also feature a series of special events and close to 190 side events (on-site, off-site and virtual) bringing together governments, international organizations, the private sector and other key stakeholders engaged in the SDGs implementation.

Get the latest event updates on the HLPF website here and follow live via UN Web TV.

Expert Voices

Volume 29 | No.7 | July 2025

Meet the experts helping chart a course to a more sustainable future

When tackling the world’s biggest challenges — from deepening inequalities and economic uncertainty to the climate crisis — it helps to have some of the sharpest global minds at the table. That’s the role of the UN High-level Advisory Board on Economic and Social Affairs (HLAB), a group of 22 distinguished thought leaders in fields such as economics, finance, demography, the environment, and gender equality.

Convened by UN DESA, this diverse group includes former Heads of State, a Nobel Laureate, former senior government officials and intellectual leaders from all regions. They offer independent, cross-disciplinary insights to help shape the UN thinking on sustainable development and bring us closer to a world that leaves no one behind.

The HLAB recently launched its third term with a multi-day session in Bangkok, Thailand. These meetings, held twice a year, are led by UN DESA Under-Secretary-General Li Junhua and include participation from the Principals of the UN Regional Commissions and UNCTAD, among other special guests. Key takeaways are shared with senior UN leadership—including the Secretary-General—to inform decision-making in support of sustainable development.

But the HLAB’s impact goes beyond internal discussions.

Through the UN DESA Global Policy Dialogue Series, HLAB members engage and share their expertise directly with the public—from civil society, students, policymakers and people working toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In Bangkok, members participated in an interactive policy dialogue at Chulalongkorn University titled “Converging Crises, Shared Solutions: Applying Lessons from Asia and the Pacific to Global Challenges,” showcasing SDG good practices for an online and in-person audience.

Before the next HLAB meeting this fall, many of them will participate in Policy Dialogues alongside major UN events in July, including the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) and the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF). By connecting global expertise with inclusive dialogue, HLAB is helping to turn big-picture goals into concrete actions and lighting the way toward a more sustainable future for all.

For the full list of HLAB members, please visit the HLAB website. To register for the upcoming Policy Dialogues at FFD4 and HLPF, please visit the Policy Dialogues website.  

Things You Need To Know

Volume 29 | No.7 | July 2025

4 things you should know about the latest data on SDG progress

This month, the world will come together at the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) to assess where we stand in our joint efforts to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Where are we advancing, and where are we falling behind? To guide this work, UN DESA’s Statistics Division is launching the latest Sustainable Development Goals Report 2025. Here are 4 things you need to know.

1. The report provides a comprehensive picture of global progress

With only five years left to achieve the SDGs, the report provides a comprehensive picture of global progress and gives readers a compelling reminder of why the Goals matter now more than ever for our shared future. 10 years into the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, the report highlights notable achievements in some key areas: new HIV infections have dropped by 39 per cent since 2010; malaria prevention efforts have saved 12.7 million lives; and 110 million more children and youth are in school now than in 2015. Internet access has surged 70 per cent since 2015 and electricity now reaches 92 per cent of the world’s population. These are numbers reflect real progress made and real lives transformed.

2. Data reveals a harsh reality for many

At the same time, the report reveals some harsh realities. One in 11 people still suffer from hunger, and billions lack access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene. Gender inequality persists with women performing 2.5 times as many hours per day of unpaid care work as men. The global landscape is growing more challenging: escalating conflicts, growing geopolitical tensions, record-breaking global temperatures, unsustainable debt burdens, and a staggering $4 trillion annual financing gap that hinders progress in developing countries.

3. Scaled up actions and solutions can advance progress

Despite these obstacles, the message is clear: progress is possible if we scale up solutions and build on hard-won gains. Grounded in the latest evidence, the 2025 edition of the report will help shape policy discussions at the HLPF and guide evidence-based decisions to get the SDGs back on track.

4. Follow the report launch on 14 July to get the latest SDG data

UN DESA will launch this flagship report on the first day of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development on 14 July. Stay tuned for the launch event and be sure to check out the complete report which will be available at 12:30 pm EDT on 14 July 2025 here: The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2025

Photo credit: UNICEF/Meerzad

More from UN DESA

Read more here: https://desapublications.un.org/un-desa-voice/july-2025

May 2025 UN DESA Voice

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER, VOL. 29, NO. 5 – MAY 2025

“It makes a difference when we get together as a global community”
Only a few weeks into her position, UN DESA’s new Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Coordination, Ms. Bjørg Sandkjær, met with UN DESA Voice for a one-on-one interview. Bringing over 26 years of experience from working within the area of policymaking and international development, we spoke about her background, her passion for international solidarity, her new role, and the difference that international development makes for people around the world.

As we caught up with Ms. Sandkjær in the middle of April, the excitement and energy stemming from the ongoing ECOSOC Youth Forum was palpable at UN Headquarters. Considering her own experience as a youth delegate, the setting was fitting. “There are lots of young people from all over the world coming together in support of multilateralism and the United Nations,” Ms. Sandkjær said. “I look forward to meeting them,” she added, referencing her participation in the event.

Early commitment to international solidarity

Ms. Sandkjær spent part of her childhood growing up in Zambia, where she witnessed first-hand some of the great injustices in society. “This was the start of my commitment to international solidarity,” she said.

“Given my great interest in international collaboration, in dialogue, in bringing countries together to find solutions, I really wanted to work for the United Nations,” Ms. Sandkjær continued. Eventually, her commitment resulted in her successfully passing the National Competitive Recruitment Examination in 2001.

“A dream come true for me,” she said, describing how she started her path at the UN Economic Commission for Africa as a demographer, before moving on within the UN system.

Change can be achieved when we work together

While speaking about efforts towards improving people’s lives around the world, Ms. Sandkjær reflected on how change can truly be achieved when we all work together.

“I have seen great progress in the years that I’ve been engaged in the multilateral arena,” she said, recalling the International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo in 1994, when she participated as a youth representative of the World Council of Churches.

“30 plus years since then, we’ve seen that shifts really manifest itself in people’s lives, in communities all over the world,” she said. “It means something that we get together in this space, that is the United Nations,” she said. “We make decisions and then we make them happen.”

“For me, it’s very rewarding to see people being able to raise their voice and to voice their opinion,” Ms. Sandkjær continued, reflecting on what she finds being the most fulfilling working with international development and policymaking.

“It’s quite amazing to be here in the General Assembly Hall, where […] the world gets together,” she said, adding that “we don’t have to agree on everything, but we discuss, we listen to each other, and we come to agreements around important issues for people’s lives.”

Data is the foundation of our work

Ms. Sandkjær also discussed the critical importance of data and how it is the foundation of our work. “It sounds boring, but it is really at the heart of knowing where the problems are, knowing where the issues are, and then being able to figure out how to address them,” she said, naming several vital areas where data makes a difference in our lives; like censuses, surveys, civil registration and tracking progress of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Discussing some of the events this year, and some of which she will also be overseeing in her role as Assistant Secretary-General, Ms. Sandkjær mentioned the Statistical Commission and the Commission on Population and Development, which completed their sessions earlier this spring. She also described the significance of the fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, the High-level Political Forum (HLPF) this summer, and her role in managing the planning and preparation for the Second World Summit of Social Development, which will take place in Qatar in November.

International development makes a difference

As we wrapped up our interview, we asked Ms. Sandkjær what she wants people to know about international development and the difference it makes for people on the ground? “The main message from me is that it works, it makes a difference,” she said.

“When we get together as civil society, as academia, as a private sector, as Member States, as the UN, we can eradicate poverty. We can achieve social justice, and we have the experience. We have the results and the examples to show that it really works.”

To learn more about Ms. Sandkjær’s background and experience, access her biography here. Follow Ms. Sandkjær on LinkedIn here.

Expert Voices

The 2025 STI Forum: A decade of bridging frontier knowledge and policy for global progress

Pioneering scientists and innovators will descend upon New York this month for the UN’s Science, Technology and Innovation Forum. We spoke with our expert, Alex Röhrl, ahead of the Forum about how the Forum has brought together governments, scientists, and entrepreneurs to share new ideas and technology solutions that are making a real difference in fighting poverty, protecting the planet, and improving lives around the world for the past decade.

This year, the Forum is celebrating its 10th anniversary. What impact has the Forum had so far, in leveraging science, technology and innovation to boost progress on the global goals?

“Since its inception in 2016, the UN’s Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation has become the UN’s principal multi-stakeholder hub for bridging science and policy to achieve humanity’s goals and aspirations.

As the flagship annual event of the Technology Facilitation Mechanism, it has reintegrated science and technology discourse into UN Headquarters after decades of absence, catalyzing a wave of initiatives across the UN system. The Forum has brought together governments with thousands of innovators, researchers and entrepreneurs – many new to the UN – stimulating cross-disciplinary, cross-sectoral dialogue.

The Forum has helped surface and scale innovative solutions – ranging from solar-powered health diagnostics to AI for sustainable agriculture. Its science-policy briefs, compiled through global open calls, have addressed frontier areas like synthetic biology, digital public goods and carbon removal.

The Mechanism’s Inter-Agency Task Team now spans 51 UN entities working collaboratively, among others, on capacity-building, including national science and technology roadmaps, and analysis of frontier science and technology developments. Importantly, the Forum fosters inclusivity, with high participation from women scientists and stakeholders from developing countries, ensuring global technological progress is informed by diverse voices.”

What are some of the recent innovations that will help us advance sustainable development and improve peoples’ lives?

“Recent innovations showcased at past Forums offer concrete pathways toward the achievement of our global goals and aspirations. In 2024, youth-led innovations included, among others, inflatable flood barriers for climate resilience, off-grid milk pasteurizers enhancing rural food safety and portable solar-powered air pollution detectors for urban health monitoring​.

On the frontier of science, the convergence of biotechnology and AI is enabling “labs-on-a-chip” that democratize access to genomic analysis, empowering community health surveillance and local biotech development – even in resource-limited settings. AI models are now being developed to optimize water use in agriculture, predict crop yields and enable early disease detection in plants and livestock.

Another promising area is sustainable materials. Researchers are developing biodegradable alternatives to plastics using microbes and seaweed. Meanwhile, the miniaturization and affordability of clean energy tech – like low-cost solar panels and microgrids – is helping electrify last-mile communities.

Many of these innovations emerge from the Global South, reflecting the growing strength of distributed innovation ecosystems. The Forum’s role has been pivotal in elevating these solutions onto the global stage and connecting innovators with funders and policy platforms.”

During this year’s Forum, there are sessions that connect with major upcoming events to protect our ocean and advance financing for sustainable development. Can you tell us how the Forum connects with these events, and how it also works to help solve some of the pressing issues that these events address?

“The Forum’s 10th session strategically aligns with two major milestones: the 2025 UN Ocean Conference and the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development. This alignment isn’t accidental – it reflects the Forum’s growing role in broader sustainable development processes. This year’s Forum will have dedicated thematic sessions on oceans and coastal ecosystems and on financing science and technology.

On oceans, the Forum explores science-based innovations for marine protection, from satellite-based fisheries monitoring to ocean-based carbon removal and blue biotechnology. In previous sessions, it highlighted the need for better marine data ecosystems and equitable access to ocean technologies, especially for small island developing States.

On financing, the Forum plays a bridging role, linking innovators with development finance actors. It showcases scalable technologies requiring investment and emphasizes the need for STI-inclusive public finance frameworks. It also builds the case for larger investments in science and technology as catalytic for overall progress, offering co-benefits in health, education and climate.

By convening technologists, policymakers and financiers in one space, the Forum fosters integrated solutions—like financing mechanisms to support community-driven tech innovations or blended finance for climate-smart infrastructure. It operates as a connector, incubator and catalyst across both themes.”

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing our world. What do you see as some of the actionable pathways for AI to reduce inequalities, promote innovation and empower communities worldwide?

“AI holds immense potential to address global inequalities—but only if deployed inclusively. The STI Forum has emphasized that we must not simply ‘apply’ AI to existing systems but co-design it with affected communities to avoid reproducing biases or exclusions.

Actionable pathways include expanding AI capacity-building in the Global South through open-source tools, partnerships with research institutions and South-South collaboration. Community-driven AI projects—like early warning systems for floods or AI-assisted translation for endangered languages—can enhance resilience and preserve cultural diversity.

Another promising avenue is AI for public services. AI-powered health diagnostics can bring advanced care to remote clinics. In agriculture, AI can empower smallholder farmers with real-time guidance on planting and irrigation, improving yields and incomes.

Crucially, the Forum has called for governance innovation. This includes global norms for ethical AI, inclusive data governance and human rights-based frameworks. It has also advocated for investment in and sharing of AI research and infrastructure and the establishment of interdisciplinary science-policy interfaces to guide responsible AI scaling.

The 2025 STI Forum will continue this momentum, with a special focus on AI, helping policymakers and technologists chart equitable, innovative paths forward.”

For more information visit the STI Forum 2025 website.

Things You Need To Know

6 takeaways from the World Social Report 2025

The world has seen extraordinary social and economic progress over the past three decades. Yet, most people are dissatisfied with their lives: 60 per cent of the world’s population are struggling and 12 per cent are suffering, according to a recent global poll. Many also believe that life is worse now than it was 50 years ago. These are some of the key findings from the newly released World Social Report 2025. Here are 6 main takeaways.

1. The social contract is under threat

Rising insecurity and inequality are eroding trust and straining social bonds. While recent crises put insecurity and distrust in the spotlight, these problems have been building for decades.

2. Many people remain one misfortune away from poverty

More than a third of the world’s population lives on between $2.15 and $6.85 a day. Even a minor setback can push people into extreme poverty. In South Africa, for instance, 80 per cent of people experienced poverty at least once between 2008 and 2015.

3. Inequalities persist

Two-thirds of the world’s population live in countries where income inequality is growing. Without urgent action, leaving no one behind will remain a distant goal by 2030.

4. Insecurity and inequality are undermining cohesion and fueling distrust

Over half of the global population has little or no trust in their government. Alarmingly, trust levels have been declining from one generation to the next. The rapid spread of disinformation is exacerbating these troubling trends.

5. Market-first policies have failed to deliver inclusive social progress

Decades of deregulation, privatization, and austerity have sparked social backlash, sowing distrust and political anger.

6. Governments and the international community can chart a different course

Overcoming today’s social crisis and accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals requires fundamental shifts in policy, institutions, norms, and mindsets. The World Social Report 2025: A New Policy Consensus to Accelerate Social Progress, builds the case for a new policy consensus anchored in three principles—equity, economic security for all, and solidarity—essential to strengthening the three dimensions of sustainable development.

Explore the findings of the report here.

Photo credit: UN DESA

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UN DESA VOICE APRIL 2025

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER, VOL. 29, NO. 4 – APRIL 2025

Partnering with youth to shape our sustainable future together

“We have witnessed how youth can mobilize global action,” said UN DESA’s Under-Secretary-General Li Junhua, stressing the importance of young people’s involvement in shaping a future that is more inclusive, peaceful, sustainable and fair. “Young people [are] showing up, contributing their skills, expertise, ideas and energy to solve the pressing challenges we are facing today so that future generations are better off,” Mr. Li said.

Mr. Li’s message was delivered to a room filled with youth leaders who had gathered for the 2024 edition of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum. Now it’s that time of the year again, when UN Headquarters will open its doors to young people from across the world, inviting them to be part of negotiations and actions that will help the world deliver a more sustainable future, that benefits us all.

Stressing how ECOSOC aims to put inclusivity front and center, its President, Ambassador Bob Rae (Canada), is emphasizing: “We bring together actors across different sectors to identify and commit to action that is going to be transformative and can have a tangible impact in countries and communities. […] I am committed to ensuring that we are leveraging these opportunities in an inclusive manner to promote action, ambition, innovation and engagement.”

As the world faces multiple crises, the demand for global solidarity and action is urgent. Described as the largest UN annual gathering of young people, the annual ECOSOC Youth Forum invites youth leaders to participate in discussions that will impact the future of their generation, and generations to come.

“Young people – young experts – need to be engaged in all the challenges that humanity faces today,” said Mr. Li Junhua. And the need has never been greater.

Taking place on 15-17 April 2025 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, young people will work side-by-side with high-level UN officials and government representatives, delving into a range of pressing issues. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under review at the 2025 High-level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development will also be in focus at this year’s event.

Youth will be able to share their perspectives on good health and well-being (SDG 3), gender equality (SDG 5), decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), life below water (SDG 14), and partnerships for the goals (SDG 17). By emphasizing science- and evidence-based solutions, the Forum will also encourage innovative and data-driven approaches to addressing today’s most urgent challenges.

Young people will also be part of deliberations related to major conferences taking place this year, including the UN Ocean Conference, the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development and the Second World Summit for Social Development. Youth voices will thus be heard in many ways and on diverse topics critical to sustainable development.

For more information: 2025 ECOSOC Youth Forum

Expert Voices

Indigenous Peoples spearhead action to claim their rights

Later this month, the 24th session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) kicks off at UN Headquarters in New York, bringing together Indigenous Peoples, government representatives, UN agencies and civil society from around the world. Ahead of the session, we spoke with Ms. Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, Chair of UNPFII, about key developments and issues related to Indigenous Peoples and their rights.

In 2007, the UN General Assembly adopted the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Where do we stand on its realization around the world?

“The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) adopted in 2007, has significantly influenced global policies, but its full realization remains uneven. Some States have incorporated its principles into laws, supporting land rights, self-determination and cultural preservation. However, many Indigenous Peoples still face land dispossession, discrimination and violence. Implementation challenges stem from political resistance, economic interests and legal barriers. One of the main problems continues to be the recognition of Indigenous Peoples by some Member States. While international bodies and advocacy groups push for stronger enforcement, Indigenous Peoples continue to lead efforts for their rights. Progress varies, but UNDRIP remains a vital framework for advancing Indigenous Peoples’ rights worldwide.”

With the many crises around the world such as climate change and biodiversity loss, what are some of the biggest challenges that Indigenous Peoples face? How can Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge and practices contribute to environmental protection, climate adaptation and mitigation?

“Indigenous Peoples are guardians and stewards of Nature. We possess the knowledge of our lands, territories and environments. This knowledge is not theoretical; it has been tried and tested since time immemorial and for many generations. As Indigenous Peoples, we are dependent and interconnected with Mother Earth and vice versa. So, when the environment is impacted by the effects of climate change, Indigenous Peoples are directly impacted, as climate change affects our livelihoods, our food sovereignty, our cultures and traditions and our ability to live on our ancestral lands. At the same time, the world needs to listen to Indigenous Peoples, as we have solutions and knowledge. Through supporting Indigenous Peoples and ensuring their voices are included in important dialogues and decision-making on biodiversity and climate change, as well as ensuring that financial resources is provided directly to Indigenous Peoples, we can work together to mitigate climate change for all.”

In what ways does the UNPFII address the unique challenges faced by Indigenous women and girls?

“The UNPFII has always served as a critical platform to amplify the already strong voices of Indigenous women and girls. Indigenous women and girls face intersectional discrimination, because their gender and their identity as Indigenous Peoples. With this intersectionality in mind, Indigenous women and girls face marginalization in many facets of their lives, including economic, political and social development, culture, environment, education, health and human rights.

However, Indigenous women are essential to society – we possess unique knowledge, transmit this knowledge, culture and traditions and are critical leaders in our own communities and families. Over the two decades since the UNPFII was established, through the Forum as well as beyond the halls of the United Nations, Indigenous women and girls have advocated to secure their rights. This has resulted in achievements such as the realization of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the ILO Convention 169 and more recently, the adoption of General Recommendation No. 39 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Again Women (CEDAW), which provides an important tool to advance the implementation of Indigenous women’s rights and should be integrated into this broader discussion.”

For more information: UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Peoples

Photo credit: AFPAT.

Things You Need To Know

5 things you should know about financing for sustainable development

Financing is the fuel of development. With adequate financing, the world can tackle poverty, inequalities, hunger, education, and the climate crisis. Yet, the world faces a stark financing divide and shrinking fiscal space. Here are 5 things you should know about financing for sustainable development.

1. Sustainable development is a good investment

Investment in sustainable development is good value for money. For example, every $1 invested in girls’ education can generate a $2.80 return. Every $1 invested in water and sanitation can reduce health care costs by $4.30.

2. Financing gaps are large and growing

The SDG financing gap – an estimated $4 trillion shortfall in annual investment – has never been so large. This is up from an estimated $2.5 trillion in 2019.

3. Developing countries are facing high debt burdens that crowd out other spending

In 2023, developing countries spent a record $1.4 trillion to service their foreign debt. Around 3.3 billion people live in countries that spend more on debt interest payments than on health or education.

4. The international financial architecture needs urgent changes to ensure affordable access to finance

Many developing countries can’t access finance at affordable rates, especially during times of crisis. On average, developing countries face borrowing costs that are two to four times higher than developed countries pay.

5. The fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) is a once-in-a-decade opportunity for change

In June, world leaders will come together at FFD4 in Sevilla, Spain to take action to deliver an SDG investment push. They will also work on reforming the international financial architecture to enable the transformative change that the world urgently needs. FFD4 will showcase the power of multilateral cooperation to tackle these global challenges, which far exceed the capacity of any single country to respond to.

In the lead up to FFD4 in Sevilla, follow the ECOSOC Financing for Development Forum (28-29 April), and the Fourth Preparatory Committee Session (30 April-1 May).

Learn more and stay updated on the road to Sevilla and the FFD4 Conference.

Photo credit: UN DESA/Helen Rosengren.

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UN DESA VOICE MARCH 2025

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER, VOL. 29, NO. 3 – MARCH 2025

Statisticians come together with a shared vision to secure trusted data

“Data are critically important for everyone,” says Stefan Schweinfest, Director of UN DESA’s Statistics Division. “All the decisions that you take in your life, you’re basing them on data,” he stressed, as we spoke on the important work of the UN Statistical Commission. On 4-7 March 2025, some 600 statisticians from across the world will come together at UN Headquarters in New York to ensure better data, better lives.

From everyday choices – what clothes to wear based on temperature data; or what route to take when commuting; to informing decisions that matter for improving peoples’ lives – it is all based on data. “You need to know how many people you have in your country and what groups you have to take particular care of,” Mr. Schweinfest said, explaining the importance of data in managing services like health care and education.

Commission to focus on two big topics this year

A veteran in the statistical community, we met Mr. Schweinfest on the eve of the Commission’s 56th session. He shared that two big topics will be addressed this year – the 2025 Systems of National Accounts, and the 2030 World Population and Housing Census Programme.

“We will adopt a new system of national accounts,” he explained, describing its most recognized element, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). “The system of national accounts is the guidebook to measure your economy the same way, whether you are in Mongolia or in Paraguay,” he said, noting that using the same statistical language enables countries to successfully exchange information and experiences.

“Every decade, the United Nations calls and declares a census round,” Mr. Schweinfest continued, describing the process of countries committing to counting their people. The census will help the international community better understand where people live and what their living conditions are, which later forms the basis for policy advice and decisions. “At the end, we will have good numbers for all of the countries and the whole world,” he explained.

Combining census data with economic trends

Mr. Schweinfest also outlined the possibilities when pairing census data with economic trends.

“With the system of national accounts, you understand where income is generated, which activities generate income and how the income is distributed in your population,” he said. He also described how this process can help countries intervene when needed to make sure that the well-being of people as well as the environment are protected.

Mr. Schweinfest also emphasized that the work on going beyond GDP to make nature count, is part of ongoing efforts in the statistical community, integrating economic and environmental accounting.

How data helps advance sustainable development

“I’m very proud of the statistical community,” Mr. Schweinfest said, as we discussed the role the statistical community plays in advancing sustainable development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“I think the deliberate decision in 2015 was to make the development agenda an accountability framework. That’s why it was structured in goals, targets and indicators. And whilst the goals and targets obviously come from the political sphere, the indicators were really managed in this room,” he said, describing how these 240 indicators help the international community measure and assess SDG progress every year.

A professional community of solidarity, with a shared vision

As the UN Statistical Commission comes together this month, it will also discuss other important matters including the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics, SDG indicators, environment and climate change statistics, environmental-economic accounting, household surveys, economic statistics, and many more topics.

Mr. Schweinfest described the privilege he feels, being part of the Commission’s work. “To look at this room full of people who’ve come to […] discuss these topics, that is always a fantastic feeling,” he said. “I look at us as a community of solidarity, a professional community with a shared vision,” he continued, stressing that it is all about ensuring data quality and reliability.

He also looked back at some major developments of the Commission’s work over the past 36 years. “It is a much bigger Commission,” he explained, sharing how there are many more countries participating. “Nowadays we have sessions with 120 and 140 countries […]. It has also become much bigger and broader in terms of topics,” he said, highlighting integrated economic and environmental statistics, as well as human rights and governance statistics, as some of the new areas covered by the Commission.

Mr. Schweinfest also highlighted that there are more interesting data sources these days, including private sector data, big data, citizen reported data, geographical and geospatial data.

As we wrapped up our interview in Conference Room 4 at UN Headquarters, or the Commission’s “natural habitat”, as Mr. Schweinfest described it, he concluded, “I’ve always considered that this is the best job in the universe.”

Be sure to follow Mr. Schweinfest and the action at the 56th Session of the UN Statistical Commission by tuning in to UN Web TV on 4-7 March 2025.

EXPERT VOICES

How the Development Cooperation Forum delivers SDG impact

This month, the Development Cooperation Forum (DCF) will come together to discuss global financial architecture reforms and financing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Ahead of the event, we spoke with Shari Spiegel, Director of UN DESA Financing for Sustainable Development Office, who highlighted the Forum’s significance in shaping international development cooperation and accelerating progress toward the goals.

What role does the Forum play in supporting other significant milestones for 2025?

“The DCF is particularly crucial this year as it will inform the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development and the 2025 High-Level Political Forum—especially discussions on strengthening global financial architecture reforms and enhancing the means of implementations of the SDGs. More than just a policy dialogue, the 2025 DCF presents a key opportunity to ensure development cooperation delivers real, measurable results in line with country needs and priorities.”

What key issues will the Forum address this year?

“The 2025 Forum comes at a pivotal moment amid a lively global discourse on the importance of international development cooperation. With 600 million people still projected to live in extreme poverty by 2030 and an SDG financing gap of up to $4 trillion annually, discussions at the Forum will focus on making development cooperation more effective, inclusive, and responsive to country needs and priorities.

On day one, the Forum will explore how development cooperation can better respond to today’s challenges, balancing crisis response with long-term sustainable development. Discussions will also examine how development finance tools and instruments—such as grants, loans, and blended finance—can be adapted to better serve national development strategies. Strengthening country leadership and ownership in directing development efforts will also be a major theme.

On day two, the focus will shift to enhancing coordination among development partners, ensuring that cooperation is driven by national needs and priorities. The Forum will also explore ways to strengthen global and regional cooperation, making development efforts more cohesive and impactful.”

How does the Forum help advance the SDGs?

“A key discussion in the Forum will be how to ensure we advance all of the SDGs not just a select few, especially by balancing humanitarian aid with long-term development and climate adaptation. Experts will also address the growing fragmentation of development finance and strategies to ensure stronger collaboration across all actors.”

Learn more about the Development Cooperation Forum 2025, taking place on 12-13 March under the theme “Transforming International Development Cooperation: From Global Dialogue to Action,” here.

Things You Need To Know

5 reasons why the International Day of Forests matters

This year’s International Day of Forests highlights the vital role of forests in food security, nutrition, and sustainable livelihoods. This year’s theme, “Forests and Foods,” connects forests to global efforts to combat hunger, protect biodiversity, and address climate change. Here are 5 reasons why this year’s theme is so important.

1. Forests feed the world 

Forests provide a variety of edible resources, from fruits, nuts, and seeds to wild game and mushrooms. More than five billion people depend on forests and non-timber products for food, medicine, and income.

2. Forests are key to achieving zero hunger 

By sustaining pollinators, improving soil fertility, and regulating water cycles, forests enhance agricultural productivity. Agroforestry—a farming method that integrates trees and crops—can boost food security while preserving ecosystems.

3. Forest conservation is climate action 

Forests act as carbon sinks, absorbing billions of metric tonnes of CO₂ annually. Sustainable forest management helps mitigate climate change, protecting food systems from climate-related disasters like droughts and floods.

4. Forests maintain biodiversity and life on land 

Forests host 80% of terrestrial species, supporting ecosystems that sustain healthy, resilient food systems. Protecting forests is crucial for maintaining biodiversity, preventing land degradation, and securing food sources.

5. Forests support livelihoods and local economies 

Millions, especially Indigenous Peoples and rural communities, rely on forests for employment and income. Strengthening sustainable forest-based value chains—like non-timber forest products—improves economic resilience.

The International Day of Forests, observed annually on 21 March is led by the UN Forum on Forests Secretariat, UN DESA, and FAO to raise awareness and promote sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development of all forests and trees for present and future generations. This year’s International Day of Forests reminds us that forests and food are deeply interconnected.

Join the conversation using #ForestDay and help advocate for sustainable forest management and food security for all! You can also join the event at UN Headquarters in-person or through UN WebTV.

UN DESA Voice February 2025: Putting people at the centre of development

Monthly Newsletter, Vol. 29, No.2 -February 2025

Strengthening solidarity and inclusion for social development

30 years ago, world leaders united around a groundbreaking commitment to put people at the centre of development. At the World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen, they pledged to eradicate poverty, promote social integration, and achieve full and productive employment for all.

Efforts to make this promise a reality continue. Every year at the Commission for Social Development, the international community gathers to accelerate the commitments made in the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development, while addressing emerging global challenges.

This year’s session will convene from 10 to 14 February in New York under the theme: “Strengthening solidarity, social inclusion and social cohesion to accelerate the delivery of the commitments of the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development and Programme of Action of the World Summit for Social Development as well as the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”.

High-level panels and side events will bring together UN Member States, civil society, and experts to identify actionable strategies for building equitable and united societies.

As we approach the Second World Summit for Social Development taking place on 4-6 November in Doha, this year’s Commission highlights the importance of strengthening solidarity and social inclusion to achieve more cohesive societies, placing people at the centre of development. It is a call for renewed cooperation to ensure that no one is left behind in the global pursuit of social progress, justice and sustainable development.

As 2025 marks the 30th Anniversary of the 1995 Copenhagen Declaration, the Summit in Doha represents a pivotal moment for the global community to renew the commitment to inclusion, equality, and sustainability. It will be a chance to come together for a more resilient world, where everyone is included.

For more information: 63rd Session of the Commission for Social Development

Expert Voices

“Partnering as equals in co-creating a better future”

Expert Voices

“We will not be able to make progress on the Sustainable Development Goals without […] a full sense of partnership,” said ECOSOC President Ambassador Bob Rae, as we spoke with him ahead of the 2025 ECOSOC Partnership Forum on 5 February at UN Headquarters in New York. “The actual implementation of most of the agenda of the United Nations depends on the deep engagement and commitment of civil society.”

What does partnership mean to you?

“I think it means everything. One of the key lessons that I’ve learned over my political and diplomatic life is how to work in collaboration with Member States, with civil society representatives, and all kinds of groups and people who want to engage. It is really at the heart of ECOSOC’s mission.

The UN Charter makes it clear that we are the institution that has the primary responsibility for engagement with civil society. The record shows that our key role reflects the presence of many civil society organizations in the drafting process of the of the Charter itself, and in the hopes that people had for the UN organization as a body that would be operating on a different basis and with a different approach than the League of Nations.

For me, partnership means recognizing the legitimacy and the equality of civil society groups who are coming to engage with the organization about the work of the organization, and about the challenges facing the world. The reality of life is that we could not possibly deal with these challenges without the full engagement of civil society, labor organizations, business communities, and all kinds of non-governmental organizations.”

What advice would you give to emerging leaders looking to create impactful collaborations?

“The first advice is to be aware of the extent to which civic life in every country is driven, not just by political parties and by governments, but also by businesses, labor organizations, civil society organizations of every kind. They are an essential part of the activities of the United Nations.

Take for example the Sustainable Development Goals. We will not be able to make progress on the SDGs without them, without everybody, without a full sense of partnership. And it’s not just a matter of States listening and then saying thank you, we’ll go off and do what we’re going to do. No, the actual implementation of most of the agenda of the United Nations depends on the deep engagement and commitment of civil society.”

How do you address the power dynamics that can arise in partnerships, particularly between developed and developing countries?

“We need to appreciate that we’re the product of the end of these two horrific global conflicts – World War I and World War II. We are also the product of the critically important process of decolonization. It’s fair to say that although political decolonization has occurred, the necessary changes in economic systems, social structures, cultural perspectives, and attitudes are still far from fully realized.

I think we need a full appreciation of what it means to be an equal member of the global community. As sovereign states, we are all equal, but we’re also equal as human beings, and we’re equal, as all of us have as much right to be at the table as anybody else.

The principle of global solidarity, the principle of global equality, the principle that we’re all here together as every nation state and every part of the world has an equal right to be here.”

What legacy do you hope to leave through your work in advancing partnerships for sustainable development?

“The ECOSOC year with real public engagement starts in February and lasts until July. During that period, we have a key opportunity to engage with civil society on some very important issues around the Sustainable Development Goals and how we can create more dynamism behind those goals. I think it’s critically important for us to really focus on the goals as the overarching theme of everything that we try to do.

Within those goals to emphasize a few things that matter for me. The issue of displacement and the issue of the impact of war and conflict and climate change on people, is something that we need to better understand. We have more people who are displaced and who are living in refugee camps of one kind or another around the world, than we’ve had since 1945. We have a greater human challenge here and sometimes we say, well, that’s a Geneva issue, it’s a UNHCR issue. No, it’s a global issue.

The other one is the impact of artificial intelligence as it is now clearly affecting our economies, our life, and our work. We’re just beginning to understand better how impactful the development of these new technologies is going to be on our countries.

As we navigate these shifts, it is essential to approach this in a spirit that reinforces the fundamental equality between men and women, and between all those who are working in the world, and that we need to break down barriers and sources of discrimination between us.

This mindset must guide us as we move from the Partnership Forum to more detailed and expert panels on tax matters, accountability and a whole range of other topics. It also underpins our engagement in milestone public events like the Commission on the Status of Women, the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, the Youth Forum, the High-level Political Forum and […] some other events that are happening like the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development and the Second World Summit on Social Development in Doha.

These are all part of the ways of recommitting to the Pact for the Future and to the agreements that we made last year with respect to how we go forward.

One of the things that I learned during my work in government, is about the importance of making people feel that they are co-creating policy or co-creating legislation. How can we really commit as equals to co-create the progress we need to make? This is something that the Partnership Forum is all about. A meeting of partnership, based on a relationship between equals who are co-creating a better future.”

The 2025 ECOSOC Partnership Forum will focus on the 2025 ECOSOC and High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) theme: “Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals for leaving no one behind,” placing a special emphasis on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that will be reviewed at the 2025 HLPF, namely Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being); Goal 5 (Gender Equality); Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth); Goal 14 (Life Below Water); and Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Follow the UN ECOSOC President on social media, via Instagram and X, and be sure to sign up for the ECOSOC Newsletter here.

Photo: UN Photo/Loey Felipe

Things You Need To Know

6 things you should know about the global economy in 2025

Promotional image for World Economic Situation and Prospects Report

“Let’s make 2025 the year we put the world on track for a prosperous and sustainable future,” urged UN Secretary-General António Guterres, as UN DESA released its global economic outlook last month in the World Economic Situation and Prospects 2025. Here are 6 things you should know about the global economy:

1. Global economic growth remains below the pre-pandemic average.
The report projects global economic growth to remain at 2.8 per cent in 2025, below the pre-pandemic average of 3.2 per cent. While easing inflation and monetary easing offer some respite, challenges such as trade tensions, geopolitical conflicts, and elevated debt burdens threaten the outlook.

2. Regional growth prospects vary widely.
East and South Asia will remain global growth drivers in 2025, with projected expansions of 4.7 per cent and 5.7 per cent respectively. Africa’s growth is forecast to improve slightly to 3.7 per cent but is restrained by high debt costs and climate-related challenges.

3. The outlook is precarious for many countries.
Many vulnerable economies are seeing downward revisions to their growth outlook, which remains well below pre-pandemic trends. This weak performance is compounding risks to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, with progress in reducing poverty continuing to be slow and uneven.

4. Falling inflation creates room for monetary easing, though challenges persist.
Global inflation is projected to decline further, from 4 per cent in 2024 to 3.4 per cent in 2025, offering relief to households and businesses. However, many developing countries continue to grapple with elevated inflation, particularly in food prices.

5. Governments are adopting gradual fiscal consolidation to improve debt sustainability and rebuild fiscal space.
Fiscal pressures are particularly severe in Africa, where rising debt-servicing burdens are increasingly diverting resources away from essential public services and investment. On a GDP-weighted basis, African governments allocated 27 per cent of revenues to interest payments in 2024, up from 19 per cent in 2019 and 7 per cent in 2007.

6. Critical minerals play a vital role in advancing the energy transition and supporting sustainable development.
Resource-rich developing countries can benefit from rising global demand for critical minerals to create jobs and boost sustainable development. “Critical minerals have immense potential to accelerate sustainable development, but only if managed responsibly,” according to Li Junhua, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs.

Learn more in the World Economic Situation and Prospects 2025 here.