Tag: United Nations

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

More from UN DESA

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.