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.
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.
Thirty years ago, the world pledged "equality for all" in Beijing. Yet, today, for many women and girls around the world, this remains elusive. Ahead of International Women’s Day, a new progress report of the UN Secretary-General released by the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), titled Women's Rights in Review 30 Years After Beijing, points to an uneven trajectory to secure women’s rights and full participation in all aspects of society.
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).
Cars have been around for over 120 years, and we know how to prevent these tragedies. Yet road crashes still claim more than two lives every minute, and nearly 1.2 million lives every year.
From medical breakthroughs to new space discoveries, from advanced quantum computing research to new scientific methods to understand the natural world around us, women and girls are shattering glass ceilings. Yet structural barriers and social norms remain that limit women and girls from unlocking their full potential.
Mangrove forests are a unique wetland ecosystem often found where land and sea meet. They act as carbon sinks, absorbing significant amounts of carbon dioxide and also help in protecting shorelines from erosion, acting as natural storm barriers. However, deforestation, illegal logging, and climate-induced changes have threatened their survival. Recognizing the importance of mangroves, the United Nations is working with national authorities, communities and other partners to support initiatives that aim to restore and protect these critical habitats.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Mr. Arnaud Peral of France as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in the Philippines, with the host Government’s approval, on 1 February 2025.
Communities in the Kavango West region of northern Namibia, particularly women and girls, are facing the worst drought in a hundred years. The UN in Namibia under the leadership of the Resident Coordinator has been leading the charge to ensure women and girls are not left behind in tackling the impacts of climate change.
Over the last two decades, Viet Nam has made remarkable strides in providing its population with access to quality education and paving the way for a more equitable and sustainable future. Learn how UN entities are joining hands to close the gaps and provide quality education for girls, ethnic minorities and students with disabilities.
