#united nations department of economic and social affairs

[worldecologyday]

Focusing on wildfire prevention and management.

In light of this growing crisis, we are organizing a side event on November 1st, World Ecology Day, focusing on wildfire prevention and management under this year’s theme of environmental protection and sustainability. Recent studies and events, including the UN’s Department Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) Policy Brief #111, highlight the need for comprehensive strategies that integrate scientific, traditional, and policy-driven approaches to wildfire management. Get the flyer!

[developmentinformationday]

(Session 2) Commodity Price Volatility and the Sustainable Development Goals.

The workshop, co-organized by FSDO/DESA, The Harriet Tubman Institute, and The Monetary Policy Institute, to be held on October 31, 2024, will discuss the theme "Commodity Price Volatility and the Sustainable Development Goals."

Watch (Session 2) Commodity Price Volatility and the Sustainable Development Goals!

[socialjusticeday]

(Session 1) Commodity Price Volatility and the Sustainable Development Goals.

The workshop, co-organized by FSDO/DESA, The Harriet Tubman Institute, and The Monetary Policy Institute, to be held on October 31, 2024, will discuss the theme "Commodity Price Volatility and the Sustainable Development Goals."

Welcome

Opening remarks

Setting the Stage: "Perspectives on Inflation from the World Economic Situation and Prospects"

Keynote presentations:

-  "Towards Post-Neoliberal Stabilization Policy: Revisiting buffer stocks in an age of overlapping emergencies"

-  "Primary Commodity Exports and All Debt: A conversation on economic development models"

-  "Exploring How Digital, Grassroot Economics, Creative Management Strategies and the 3F Model can Help Champion Improving Value Chains in the Commodities Markets"

-  "Development as (Economic) Sovereignty: A Paradigm shift and composite index"

Participants will examine the various factors driving the excessive volatility of commodity prices, which has constrained the resources of developing countries in achieving sustainable development goals. They will also discuss the main challenges and essential policies required to address the market structures contributing to this issue.

Website

Programme

Watch (Session 1) Commodity Price Volatility and the Sustainable Development Goals!

[worldpopulationday]

Engaging Youth and Academia with the World Population Prospects 2024: A UN DESA Global Policy Dialogue for the Classroom.

Join the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) and the United Nations Academic Impact for a special Global Policy Dialogue for the Classroom focused on breaking down the recent "World Population Prospects 2024."

Watch Engaging Youth and Academia with the World Population Prospects 2024: A UN DESA Global Policy Dialogue for the Classroom!

[womensjudgesday]

SDG 16 as an Enabler of the 2030 Agenda (HLPF 2024 Side Event).

According to the UN Secretary-General in his Progress Report of the SDGs, in 2023 only 15% of the goals were on track to meet their targets by 2030, with SDG 16 falling severely off track. Promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, providing access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable institutions at all levels have a significant impact on public and private society, in formal institutions and de facto norms. SDG 16 is thus an enabler, accelerator, and one of the key conditions for achieving all SDGs through its cross-cutting nature that impacts many types of sustainable development that are foundational for addressing the complex interlinkages between poverty, inequality, climate change, and economic instability. 

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Organized by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), this event will highlight the interlinkages between SDG 16 and the 2030 Agenda drawing from the findings of its new report, and showcase how policymakers working across the 2030 Agenda can accelerate action on development outcomes by supporting and investing in SDG 16 moving forward. In partnership with Member States, Civil Society and other stakeholders, this event will also highlight the importance of partnerships for the effective implementation of SDG 16 and its impact on all other goals of the 2030 Agenda.

Related Sites and Documents

Concept Note

Watch the SDG 16 as an Enabler of the 2030 Agenda (HLPF 2024 Side Event)!

[coopsday]

Cooperatives Building a Better Future for All.

This year on July 6, cooperatives around the world will celebrate the International Day of Cooperatives with the theme "Cooperatives Building a Better Future for All". Cooperatives will have the opportunity to showcase their current and historical contributions to building a sustainable future, accelerating efforts to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) by 2030.

Watch the UN DESA International Day/International Year of Cooperatives!

[southsouthcooperationday]

Remarks at Organizational Session of the Ad Hoc Committee to Draft Terms of Reference for a United Nations Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation.

Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I have the honour to declare open this organizational session of the Ad Hoc Committee to Draft Terms of Reference for a United Nations Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation.  On behalf of the Secretariat, I would like to welcome everyone present here today and following online via UN Web TV.

The General Assembly established this new, ad hoc intergovernmental body by its resolution 78/230 of 22 December 2023.  This was a historic step forward in promoting inclusive and effective international tax cooperation at the United Nations.  It is also a key step in achieving the Addis Ababa Action Agenda and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Aggressive tax avoidance and tax evasion have a corrosive effect on public trust, financial integrity, the rule of law and sustainable development across the globe.  Advancing inclusive and effective international tax cooperation can address these challenges and foster trust. It can also help countries mobilize domestic resources and support investment in the SDGs.

This UN intergovernmental process can help shape an international tax system that serves multiple purposes.  The system must respect countries’ sovereignty and the way markets operate and business is done in our modern world.  It must also establish transparent international tax rules and procedures that respond to the needs, priorities, and capacities of all countries. 

Distinguished Delegates,

Great strides have been made in international tax cooperation, at the OECD, the United Nations, and in regional and sub-regional tax organizations, that engage all stakeholders in tax systems.

Despite best efforts to address global taxation issues, many developing countries still feel that they have little to no contribution in setting the international tax rules that address their priorities.

This Ad Hoc Committee convenes for the first time, with the mandate to develop draft terms of reference for a UN Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation. 

All UN Member States must make the most of this rare opportunity to develop an instrument that addresses global challenges that are not adequately addressed by existing arrangements, including the priorities of developing countries.  Such an instrument would strengthen synergies with existing arrangements.

 A framework-protocol approach would not solve all the challenges or create opportunities in international tax at once.  Yet, it could lead to increased revenue collection, curb tax evasion and illicit financial flows, and ensure tax is used more effectively as a policy lever for sustainable development in the short to medium term.

I would like to thank the Bureau-designate for its hard work in preparing for this organizational session over the past several weeks, in consultation with Member States through the regional groups.

It is now up to this Ad Hoc Committee, over the next three days, to lay the Committee’s approach, the organizational foundations, and initiate substantive preparations to deliver on its mandate.

The first task before the Committee is electing its officers.  The resolution specifies that the bureau of the ad hoc intergovernmental committee shall be made up of not more than 20 members.  It shall consist of one chair, one rapporteur, and 18 vice-chairs, elected on the basis of balanced geographical representation and taking into account gender balance, with each of the five regional groups equally represented. 

I wish you every success in this session and on the delivery of your important mandate. 

Thank you!

[autismday]

Awareness-Acceptance-Appreciation.

The World Autism Awareness Day virtual event is 2 April at 10 AM EST and will feature an all-autistic panel across six regions. They'll share their thoughts on the state of affairs and the importance of SDGs for autistic people

[intlforestday]

Accelerating Innovation and Data Management for Forests: A UN DESA Global Policy Dialogue.

Join the UN DESA for a Global Policy Dialogue looking at Sustainable Development Goal 15, Life on Land, which is in the spotlight as International Day of Forests is commemorated on March 21st.

Watch the Accelerating Innovation and Data Management for Forests: A UN DESA Global Policy Dialogue!

[worldelderabuseawarenessday]

Addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Older Age.

The World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) is observed on 15 June. It was officially recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution 66/127 in 2011, following a request by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA), who first established the commemoration in 2006. WEAAD represents the one day in the year when the world voices its opposition to elder abuse, a human rights violation, and helps to enhance the recognition of the dignity of older persons and their right to live free of fear and violence. In the context of last year’s commemoration of WEAAD, the WHO, in partnership with UN DESA, OHCHR, UNFPA, and UN-WOMEN, with support from INPEA, published Tackling abuse of older people: five priorities for the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing 2021–2030. The resource outlined key priorities to prevent and respond to abuse of older persons and, hence, contribute to improving their health, well-being and dignity. This year, the commemoration will provide an update on the implementation of the priorities. Ahead of the milestone of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), this year’s commemoration of WEAAD will also connect with the year-long campaign to promote and recognise the 75th anniversary. As the month of June of the campaign will focus on showcasing the UDHR by raising awareness on its legacy, relevance and activism as relates to women’s rights, the theme of the 2023 WEAAD commemoration in the United Nations Headquarters in New York is entitled Closing the Circle: Addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Older Age - Policy, Law and Evidence-based Responses.

[unpublicserviceday]

Innovating the Future Public Service.

United Nations Public Service Day, celebrated on 23 June each year, recognizes the value and virtue of public service to the community; highlights the contribution of public service in the development process; recognizes the work of public servants, and encourages young people to pursue careers in the public sector. The day also provides an opportunity to recognize the work of public service innovation through the Annual UN Public Service Awards Programme.

To celebrate the 2021 United Nations Public Service Day, the Division of Public Institutions and Digital Government of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, in collaboration with the government of the United Arab Emirates will host a 1.5-hour virtual event on the 23 June under the theme of "Innovating the Future Public Service: New Government Models for a New Era to Reach the SDGs". The event will bring together key stakeholders, public servants and UN officials to honor the work of public servants.

The event will highlight and discuss the increasingly centric role that innovation and technology play in the delivery of public services and in doing so, examine how to better prepare the future public service for a new era, so as to reach the 2030 sustainable development goals. It will examine the various approaches countries are taking to equip public servants with the skills necessary to be effective, responsive and relevant in the digital age. It will also highlight lessons learned from the past year, as many countries and public servants have been thrust into the digital era, quickly adopting, innovating and using online mechanisms to continue their work during the pandemic. 

Virtual Celebration of the United Nations Public Service Day 2021 - Innovating the Future Public Service.

[worldecologyday]

Forging paths to sustainable wildfire prevention through collaborative governance.

As climate change accelerates, the frequency and severity of wildfires have reached unprecedented levels across the globe. From the bushfires in Australia that devastated nearly 1.5 million square kilometers, to the fires in Greece, Portugal, and Canada, these events have led to immense loss of biodiversity, land degradation, socio-economic damage, and CO2 emissions, affecting communities worldwide. In light of this growing crisis, we are organizing a side event on November 1st, World Ecology Day, focusing on wildfire prevention and management under this year’s theme of environmental protection and sustainability. Recent studies and events, including the UN’s Department Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) Policy Brief #111, highlight the need for comprehensive strategies that integrate scientific, traditional, and policy-driven approaches to wildfire management:

Watch Forging paths to sustainable wildfire prevention through collaborative governance!

[developmentinformationday]

Growth of economic output.

The world economy is forecast to grow by 2.7% in 2024 and 2.8% in 2025, reflecting improved prospects in the USA and several large economies. The outlook is only cautiously optimistic as economic vulnerabilities remain.

World Economic Situation and Prospects as of mid-2024.

[remittancesday]

Remittances helps families to achieve their own Sustainable Development Goals.

By 2030, it is projected that over US$ 5 trillion will be sent home by migrants to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), with much of this money going directly to rural areas where 80 per cent of the world’s poor live, face food shortages, and the impacts of climate change.

This money, sent by migrants and diaspora communities, directly supports millions of families to achieve their own Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They contribute directly to poverty alleviation, education, healthcare, small business development, gender equality, and rural economic growth.

[worldpopulationday]

(6th plenary meeting) 57th session of the Commission on Population and Development, CPD57.

Under the theme: The ICPD Programme of Action and its Contribution to Agenda 2030.

(Continued) General discussion, statements

Assessing the status of implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and its contribution to the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development during the decade of action and delivery for sustainable development.

Watch the (6th plenary meeting) 57th session of the Commission on Population and Development, CPD57

The 57th session of the Commission on Population and Development (CPD57) will meet from 29 April to 3 May 2024. Theme: The ICPD Programme of Action and its Contribution to Agenda 2030.

Commission on Population and Development fifty-seven session Provisional Agenda (CPD57)

[internationaldayoffamilies]

2024 in-person observance of the International Day of Families.

The 2024 in-person observance of the International Day of Families aims to raise awareness of the impact of climate change on families and the role of families in climate action. The DESA background paper to be launched at the observance, "Climate Change and Families," stresses that families, as central building blocks of society, have a significant role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

The 2024 observance of the International Day of Families and the commemoration of the IYF+30 will include the launch of the publications noted above and offer recommendations concerning families and climate action.

Moreover, the observance will focus on the achievements of the IYF+ 30 preparatory process, featuring outcomes of the major regional expert group meetings, symposia and awareness-raising events organized in preparation for IYF+30. Numerous civil society initiatives, including the Civil Society Declaration on IYF+30, will be featured, followed by an interactive discussion.

Watch the International Day of Families 2024!

Concept Note

Programme

Website