From health, education, food security to infrastructure, innovation, peace and partnerships, tackling poverty lies at the heart of these efforts. As the world looks ahead to the upcoming World Social Summit, it will be essential to keep ending poverty as the golden thread connecting the investments we make to accelerate the achievement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
A joint programme, "Localize to Realize" (L2R), spearheaded by the United Nations Philippines is empowering Sama Bajau and informal settler families in Surigao City to drive progress for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and pave the way for a better future.
From starting dialogue in divided communities to engaging in decision-making to counter hate and disinformation, young people are taking the lead; not just as advocates, but as architects of peace.
As a key institution of governance, the PNTL has been instrumental to Timor-Leste’s pride in being a model of democracy, good governance and human rights in Southeast Asia. Over the years, PNTL has been collaborating and adopting coordinated approaches with UN agencies in Timor-Leste, to strengthen its ability in crime prevention, investigations, and digital forensics to ensure that officers are prepared to handle the needs of modern policing.
Costa Rica is at a crossroads: inequality and food insecurity remain significant challenges. A joint programme supported by the Joint SDG Fund and bringing together UNICEF and FAO, under the leadership of the Resident Coordinator's Office is aiming to improve agricultural practices and dietary habits among communities, promoting more sustainable production and building capacities.
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.
On a sunlit afternoon at the Resistance Museum in Timor-Leste, a quiet but powerful reunion took place. Several remarkable women, veterans of the Timorese resistance, began to trickle into the exhibition hall. As they entered, their eyes were drawn to the canvases on the walls. There, captured in striking portraits, were their own faces, reminders of the courage they displayed decades ago.
“We won’t solve our problems with the same thinking that created them,” warned UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed at a special event on the sidelines of the High-Level Political Forum 2024, urging Member States and partners alike to embrace collaboration and invest in key green and digital transition areas that can catapult the world to achieve the SDGs by 2030.
