Things You Need To Know

4 facts you didn’t know about international collaboration on tax matters

Did you know that there is a United Nations Committee that guides UN Member States on domestic and international tax matters? From 18 to 21 October 2022, its 25 members will meet to discuss topics ranging from bilateral tax treaties, indirect and health taxes, to environmental taxation. Here are four facts you didn’t know about the UN Tax Committee and its vital work.

Meet UN DESA’s new Under-Secretary-General Mr. Li Junhua

After five years of dedicated service to UN DESA and the international community, Liu Zhenmin hands over the baton to a new Under-Secretary-General at the end of the summer. On 30 August, the United Nations welcomes Li Junhua to lead UN DESA’s work promoting sustainable development for all. Here are 4 things you need to know about Mr. Li and his role heading UN DESA.

1. Brings a vision on multilateral collaboration, benefiting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

5 reasons not to miss the World Population Prospects 2022

On 11 July, UN DESA’s Population Division will release World Population Prospects 2022. This is the 27th edition of the official estimates and projections of the global population, published by the United Nations since 1951. Here are five reasons why we should be paying attention:

1. Demographic trends underpin national development planning

5 reasons you should care about our ocean

Our ocean is in serious trouble. Heating, pollution, acidification, and oxygen loss pose serious threats to the health of the ocean and to all living beings who call this vast planetary resource their home. Why should you care? Here are 5 reasons:

1. The ocean regulates our climate and provides the air we breathe

6 big questions for a global recovery in 2022 and beyond

In a world challenged by intertwined crises, the UN High-level Advisory Board on Economic and Social Affairs (HLAB) is stepping up to offer advice on how the world can recover and make progress towards sustainable development. On 25 May, you will be able to explore their solutions in the volume “Six Big Questions for the Global Economic Recovery: The UN High-level Advisory Board Q&A Compendium”. Here are their 6 main takeaways:

4 indigenous causes to look out for this month

Every year, thousands of indigenous representatives gather for the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. This is one of the main venues to address the challenges facing the world’s more than 476 million indigenous peoples. From poverty and health issues to human rights and land rights violations, the hazards they face are many. Ahead of this year’s Forum, here are 4 things you need to know.   

1. Indigenous languages are at risk of extinction 

4 things you need to know about groundwater

The human family and our planet all depend on water for our survival. Yet, 2 billion people lack safe water today. To raise awareness about this critical resource, the world comes together every year on 22 March to celebrate World Water Day. This year is all about groundwater - making the invisible, visible. Here are 4 things you need to know about groundwater and the Day:

1. Core focus is to achieve water and sanitation for all 

4 ways you can shape the global agenda

The days of multilateralism as a closed club of governments are over. The UN is spearheading a new approach to international cooperation that is more networked, inclusive and effective in addressing the challenges of the 21st century. Here are 4 ways you can join in this effort and have your voice heard:

1. Register for the ECOSOC Partnership Forum

Meet the UN Public Service Award winners

Effective public service delivery is often taken for granted until a major crisis like COVID-19 puts a strain on the system. The pandemic showed the key role public institutions play in our daily lives. Recognizing the importance of these institutions is something the UN Public Service Awards does every year. Here are 4 things you should know about the winners of this prestigious award.

1. The winners come from all corners of the world

4 things you need to know about SDGs data

We cannot achieve our goals and targets if we cannot measure our progress, yet many official national statistics producers remain under-resourced and ill-equipped for the historic task of measuring the world’s progress across all Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and beyond. The Data For Now initiative, launched in 2019 is working to change that.

1. Countries need data relevant to them