Around the world, 2.2 billion people live without access to safe water. As we mark World Water Day on 22 March, it is a moment to recognize the central role that water plays in accelerating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UN Resident Coordinators bring together UN country teams and partners to support the work of governments and communities in boosting access to safe water. They mobilize resources to tackle water scarcity challenges, ensuring that access to safe water remains a top policy priority. Their engagement focuses on several fronts, from tackling the impact of climate change on water resources to water conservation to boosting public health and community resilience.
Social justice in action means dismantling systemic barriers, equipping workers with future-ready skills, and ensuring every voice – especially women, youth, and marginalized communities – is heard in the global economy. UN Country Teams, led by Resident Coordinators, have been at the forefront of championing social justice as a fundamental pillar for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
AI has gone from the stuff of science fiction to a powerful force that is transforming our world. Reshaping the way we live, work, and interact. Fueling breakthroughs in education, healthcare, agriculture…But also testing our shared values and rights. The power of AI carries immense responsibilities.
With the aim to build communities' resilience and empowerment, a project implemented by the United Nations Development Programme is offering tools, skills, access to loans and other support to women farmers and entrepreneurs across four states, both in displacement areas and in the communities that host them. Even while the war continues, these women in Kessala, Gedaref, River Nile and Blue Nile, are using that support to grow their own food, set up their own small businesses and keep their children in school with money they earn themselves.
For millions of Africans, the absence of affordable and reliable access to electricity isn’t just about lighting a room —it’s about access to education, economic growth, and a better quality of life.
Northern Ghana is home to 18.2 per cent of the country's population, yet accounts for nearly half of the country’s food-insecure population. The added pressure of hosting asylum seekers has further strained the region’s limited resources. The UN in Ghana, led by the United Nations Resident Coordinator's Office (RCO), is working with the Government of Ghana to address the complex situation and ensure refugees and asylum seekers are not left behind.
During COP29, the UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan stresses the urgent need to rebuild trust in climate action, particularly in climate finance, policymaking, and institutions, to accelerate progress towards a sustainable future.
The transformative power of energy access is undeniable. It is more than just keeping the lights on—it's a catalyst that accelerates progress across the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), particularly for women and youth in rural communities. To address this critical need, the UN in Guinea is working with the government to support rural electrification initiatives and improve the living conditions of communities.
