Advancing the work of a historic 80th General Assembly

As the UN General Assembly (GA) welcomed presidents, prime ministers and premier public intellectuals, the halls of UN Headquarters in New York echoed with the dignity and urgency of what we’ve achieved and what more needs to be done. But did you know that beyond the High-Level Week, six Committees of the General Assembly meet over the coming months to address pressing priorities and debate the details? Learn more about two of the Committees that UN DESA is supporting substantively.

Second Committee – Economic and financial issues

Older persons driving local and global action

The 35th United Nations International Day of Older Persons will be held on 1 October 2025 at United Nations Headquarters in New York putting a spotlight on the theme, “Older Persons Driving Local and Global Action: Our Aspirations, Our Well-Being, Our Rights.” 

Experts set to convene on tax matters

The UN Committee of Experts on International Tax Cooperation will come together in Geneva from 21 to 24 October 2025 for what promises to be a significant moment in global tax policy. The gathering marks the inaugural session of the newly appointed 2025-2029 membership of this body charged with helping countries tackle the growing complexities of international tax amid urgent efforts to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.

Driving change with quality statistics and data for everyone

Every five years, World Statistics Day (WSD) is observed on 20 October. Since it was first celebrated in 2010, the Day provides an opportunity to recognize the importance of official statistics and to highlight the contributions of national and international statistical systems. 

Climate and sustainable development crises must be solved together

The 2025 Global Report on Climate and SDG Synergies, launched at the United Nations last month, found that tackling the climate and sustainable development crises together, through synergistic action that breaks down silos, can unlock efficiencies at scale and reduce government spending needed on these crises by nearly 40 per cent. 

Ensuring respect and effective support for families

Each year on 17 October, the world comes together to mark the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. First commemorated in 1987 and recognized by the United Nations in 1992, the Day is a call to action: to put the furthest behind first, to amplify the voices of people experiencing poverty, and to renew our shared commitment to end poverty in all its forms everywhere.

Clean water and sanitation in focus as preparations kick off for 2026 conference

Every family deserves safe water at the turn of a tap. Yet for too many people, water still means a long walk, a heavy bucket and an uncertain tomorrow. That’s why preparations are now in full swing for the 2026 UN Water Conference (mandated by the General Assembly in resolution 77/334) which will put clean water and sanitation front and center.

EnergyNow SDG7 Action Forum to drive progress on just energy transition

Energy experts, advocates and government delegates from around the world will gather on 24-25 September 2025 on the margins of the UN General Assembly High-Level Week for the EnergyNow SDG7 Action Forum, seeking innovative solutions to end energy poverty and advance a just energy transition. The annual event is convened by UN-Energy, the inter-agency coordination mechanism on energy within the UN system, for which UN DESA serves as secretariat. 

New data to reveal progress and gaps in gender equality

On 15 September 2025, UN Women and UN DESA will launch the Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals: The Gender Snapshot 2025, the latest edition in an annual series. Covering all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the report spotlights the latest data and evidence on gender equality, tracking trends and revealing progress and gaps.

Ensuring Indigenous Peoples’ rights in the age of AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping our world at an unprecedented pace.  For Indigenous Peoples, this technology can bring both significant challenges and promising opportunities.