UNCTAD’s Digital Economy Report 2024 advocates for a shift to a circular digital economy to mitigate the growing environmental impact of digitalization, emphasizing sustainability and inclusivity.

The private sector is key to creating jobs and eradicating poverty. The SDG Global Business Forum (16 July) gathers leaders from the private sector, governments, and civil society worldwide to co-create business-driven solutions for accelerating the Sustainable Development Goals. Co-convened by the UN Global Compact, UNDESA, the International Organisation of Employers and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development on the sidelines of the HLPF, this virtual event also serves as a key moment ahead of the Summit of the Future, gathering business insights for a better future.

This remote and unique region is grappling with a complex set of challenges that demand immediate attention. The recent unprecedented landslide in Enga Province, which affected close to 8,000 people, has not only highlighted the region's vulnerability to hazards but also exposed underlying issues such as conflict, poverty, inequality and the climate crisis. Geographically isolated, the region boasts rich cultural heritage, biodiversity, and natural resources. UNDP and its partners are undertaking a new programme focused on three interconnected pillars: community empowerment, climate resilience, and peacebuilding.

In Brazil’s semi-arid northeast, farming faces significant challenges due to climate change. Erratic rainfall and shifting harvest periods impact the region. Soil degradation prevents it from retaining water, nutrients, and microorganisms. To cope, farmers often overuse fertilizers, pesticides, and scarce water, perpetuating a damaging cycle. However, micro-, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Rio Grande do Norte are making a difference. Tiago José Souza, a Cooperxique Cooperative member, practices agroecology to boost productivity while nurturing the soil. The cooperative’s organic certification programme ensures high standards without costly private certification. 

The United Nations recognizes the cooperatives movement as its key partner in accelerating sustainable development and calls on its Member States and civil society organizations to support and strengthen cooperatives’ entrepreneurial ecosystems. Through democratic governance and shared ownership, cooperatives set an example for peace and stability, bringing people from diverse backgrounds together on equal terms, and fostering understanding and respect. On the International Day of Cooperatives (6 July), we celebrate the contribution of cooperatives to a just and sustainable future for all.

The High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), the main UN platform for the follow-up and review of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), is being held on 8-17 July 2024 under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council. Under the theme “Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises: the effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions”, the forum will review in-depth: SDG 1. End poverty; SDG 2. End hunger; SDG 13. Climate action; SDG 16. Peace and justice; and SDG 17. Partnerships.

“How, in our age, do we overcome this competition between ecology and economy, which is leading us to so many destructive and ultimately, increasingly catastrophic realities around the world?”

Born in Brazil to German parents, Achim Steiner knows first hand the power of cultural exchange to drive international cooperation. Now head of UNDP, he leads global efforts to secure a better future for our planet and its people.

“The clearest lesson from 50 years of modern development thinking is don't try and just pick one aspect and put all your eggs in that basket. Society is complex, development is about choices. And you will either get them right and succeed or you will fall apart.”

In this episode, Achim reflects on the thorniest challenges facing humanity, on his hopes for a fairer, cleaner future, and on the vital lessons he learned in rural Pakistan.

Photo:©UNDP Afghanistan/Oriane Zerah

We are just six years away from the 2030 deadline to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and progress is lagging. The 2024 Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day, 27 June, offers an opportunity to exchange ideas on how key stakeholders, including policy makers, large companies, financial institutions, and the international community can support micro-, small and medium-sized businesses (MSMEs), which account for 50% of GDP worldwide, to advance the 2030 Agenda and contribute to achieving the SDGs, including poverty eradication and decent work for all. 

Celebrations of the 60th anniversary of UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) culminate in the Global Leaders Forum from 12 to 14 June. The event unites world leaders to catalyze new development thinking and actions needed to advance prosperity for all in an increasingly diverse and challenging global economy. For six decades, UN Trade and Development has stood as a staunch advocate for developing countries, providing crucial support through cutting-edge research and analysis, technical cooperation, and consensus-building.

UN has sounded an urgent alarm about the soaring global debt crisis, stressing the critical need for immediate action to alleviate its impact on developing nations and foster progress towards sustainable development goals.

As the world struggles with global challenges such as climate change, health crises, food insecurity and human displacement, knowledge integration has become crucial. The statistical, data science, geospatial, and modeling sectors are tasked with providing integrated knowledge to shed light on these problems. The aim of the 8th International Conference on Big Data (Bilbao, Spain; 10 -14 June) is to address these emerging issues and share knowledge by collaborating with partners across sectors to inform climate change and sustainable development policies with integrated data.

Cabo Verde is a Small Island Developing State consisting of ten volcanic islands with a population of just over half a million people. Fogo, the youngest and most volcanically active island, is home to the Pico do Fogo volcano, which erupted most recently in November 2014, forcing the evacuation of 964 residents. The community of Chã das Caldeiras, located inside the volcano crater, was buried by lava. Despite this, the resilient community has bounced back, with around 500 people now living in the village and working in agriculture and tourism as part of Fogo Natural Park.

The inaugural United Nations Global Supply Chain Forum, hosted by UNCTAD and Barbados convened over 1,000 participants to address escalating disruptions in global supply chains.

From fighting climate change to eliminating hunger and poverty, digital technologies can help achieve 70% of targets under the UN Sustainable Development Goals. World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (17 May) is an opportunity to explore how digital innovation can unlock sustainable prosperity for all. However, with 2.6 billion people still unconnected, many countries struggle to keep up with today's fast-changing digital landscape. This year’s observance reminds the world of the progress yet to be made to ensure that everyone can benefit from digital technologies.

Kenyan women in savings groups spearhead economic empowerment, transforming lives and challenging traditional norms.