More from UN DESA

Preparations underway for financing a sustainable future

The first session of the Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) for the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) will review progress and gaps in implementing the Addis Ababa Action Agenda and identify actions to accelerate reaching the Sustainable Development Goals. 
 

13 must-attend special events at the 2024 HLPF

At this year’s High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), prepare to be inspired by a dynamic lineup of special events, curated by UN DESA and organized by key partners. These high-profile gatherings will unveil flagship reports and host discussions with a wide range of speakers, all designed to ignite engagement and commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

Prices on a warming planet - the inflationary effects of climate change

Climate change is no longer a distant threat. Its adverse impacts on both human societies and natural ecosystems are already unfolding across the world. 2023 was the warmest year on record by a clear margin, and records were broken for ocean heat, sea level rise and glacier retreat. The multifaceted nature of these impacts is evident through droughts, forest fires, excessive precipitation, floods, heatwaves, hurricanes, intense frost periods, and weather that defies seasonal patterns. 

Expert report to urge government synergy in tackling climate and sustainable development crises

A new report by a UN-convened expert group will urge governments to break down siloes at national and international levels to address the climate and sustainable development crises and achieve transformative change. On 16 July, the 2024 report of the Expert Group on Climate and SDG Synergy - co-convened by UN DESA and UN Climate Change (UNFCCC) - will be presented to delegates at a special event of the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) in New York.  

High-level Advisory Board set to discuss the ‘Future We Want’ at Global Policy Dialogue during HLPF

Past the midpoint of our timeline to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), only 17 per cent of the SDG targets are on track. The world is still facing wars, economic uncertainty and the climate crisis. Inequality is rising, and our progress towards gender equality is far from being met. There’s still a lot we need to do, together, to keep the 17 goals within reach by 2030.

International Youth Day 2024: Youth Digital Innovation for Sustainable Development

Digitalization is transforming our world, offering unprecedented opportunities to accelerate sustainable development. Digital technologies such as mobile devices, services, and artificial intelligence are instrumental in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Data generated from digital interactions supports evidence-based decision-making.

Protecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples in voluntary isolation and initial contact

Around 200 groups of Indigenous Peoples currently live in voluntary isolation and initial contact. They reside in remote forests, rich in natural resources, in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Peru and Venezuela. They choose to live detached from the rest of the world, and their mobility patterns allow them to engage in gathering and hunting, thereby preserving their cultures and languages. These peoples have a strict dependency on their ecological environment.

World Oceans Day: A call to action to save our ocean

Oceans cover more than 70% of the Earth’s surface, produce over half of the world’s oxygen, regulate the climate and absorb nearly one-third of the carbon dioxide generated by human activities. Home to an incredible diversity of life, oceans provide food and livelihoods for billions of people. The health of the oceans is intrinsically linked to the health of our planet and its inhabitants.

Integrated big data informs policies on climate change and sustainable development

As the world grapples with numerous global challenges, including environmental issues, climate change, health crises, food insecurity, economic recovery, and human displacement, the need for knowledge integration has never been more critical. Amid a data landscape with fast-increasing volumes of big data, information remains compartmentalized to pre-defined scales and fields, rarely building its way up to collective knowledge. 

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day: Spotlight on older persons in emergencies

As the world prepares to observe World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) on 15 June, this year UN DESA programme on ageing, in partnership with the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA), will focus on the theme, "Spotlight on Older Persons in Emergencies," to highlight the critical need to protect and support older persons during crises. 

Established by the United Nations in 2011, WEAAD aims to raise awareness about the abuse, neglect, and exploitation that older persons face, while promoting respect and dignity for this population.