United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs

In numerous regions across the globe, the path to sustainable development is complicated by a convergence of complex circumstances.

Six years after a major repositioning, the Resident Coordinator (RC) system is proving its value.

The World Economic Situation and Prospects 2025 report shows that despite withstanding a series of mutually reinforcing shocks, global economic growth has stagnated and remains below the pre-pandemic annual average of 3.2 per cent.

To address deep-seated issues of gang violence and women's lack of safety and security, the UN in El Salvador partnered with the Government to launch the "De Una! Transforming My Community" programme, funded by the UN Peacebuilding Fund. Recognizing that sustainable peace requires the active involvement of everyone, "De Una!" empowered residents to take ownership of peacebuilding in their communities. Its objectives were to address the root causes of conflict, foster social cohesion, and create economic opportunities.

In July of this year, Mauritania's presidential election took place amidst a peaceful atmosphere. With a spotlight on various social, economic and governance issues affecting the country’s population, the smooth organization of the electoral process signaled that national authorities were better prepared than in previous elections to meet the complex context.

"First, the objective of the Funding Compact holds true. Adjusting the quantity and quality of funding does have a multiplier effect on the implementation of the SDGs...These results do not happen in a vacuum. They can only be achieved through funding adequate expertise in UN development system entities and in UN country teams to provide advice adjusted to country needs and priorities.  Yet, and this is my second point, the implementation of the Funding Compact commitments remains mixed overall."

Organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) from 27 to 30 March, the Forum brought together a cross-section of key development actors, including senior government and UN officials, the private sector, youth and civil society representatives to share their experiences and mobilize regional action to rescue the SDGs.

Our UN teams are on the ground in 162 countries and territories, coordinating joint programmes and tackling a range of multi-faceted priorities and key initiatives on a daily basis — from climate action to gender equality and food security.

In Mexico City, over 500 participants from 50 countries adopted a strategic roadmap for the  International Decade of the Indigenous Languages. Indigenous communities have become the leading forces that advance and ensure full empowerment and inclusion, equal and meaningful participation, and much more.

Chanel Bernard, 29 years-old, is from Pestel, a township in Haiti's Grand'Anse department, located some 80 kilometers from the city of Les Cayes. The 90,000 inhabitants of this town nestled between the sea and the mountains live according to the rhythm of the market days—Wednesdays and Saturdays— and the flow of ships unloading their goods from neighbouring cities into the port. 

The way we live is at stake due to climate change. There is no time to lose in this fight against its consequences and the irreversible change.