Every year, World Mental Health Day (10 October) is a powerful reminder that inclusive and sustainable human development cannot be realised without mental health and well-being. Across the world, countries are making strides, recognising this as a right, not just a privilege. The UN has been steadily working alongside governments, civil society, youth leaders, academia and the private sector to lead these efforts.
In 2025, the urgency of climate action is undeniable. Spotlighting ten solutions that prove that scaling action now can drive justice, jobs, resilience and still bend the curve towards the 1.5-degree limit.
The reality is that change is happening, and it affects our everyday lives. From grassroots initiatives to national policy, we are seeing progress that is real, measurable, collective and worth scaling up.
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.
Local action is powering global progress on decent work, as UN Resident Coordinators lead Country Teams in driving transformative initiatives worldwide.
Unprecedented civic engagement, grassroots leadership, and private sector collaboration are driving progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, setting a new standard for national development.
Kenya is quickly emerging as one of Africa’s digital frontrunners, with technology driving innovation, service delivery, and economic growth across the country. The Joint SDG Fund sat down with Stephen Jackson, UN Resident Coordinator in Kenya, to explore how the UN is working with the Government of Kenya and partners to foster an inclusive, resilient digital ecosystem through initiatives like DigiKen.
UN Resident Coordinators (RCs) have emerged as vital agents of change, driving systemic shifts to help countries identify and use mechanisms to finance their development priorities and ensure that national budgets are aligned with the SDGs.
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.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Antonio Aranibar of Bolivia as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Equatorial Guinea, with the host Government’s approval, on 16 March 2025.
