#SDG progress

[humansolidarityday]

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS IN THE 54 AFRICAN COUNTRIES.

Poverty - End poverty in all its forms everywhere.

Food - End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.

Health - Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

Education - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Women - Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

Water - Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

Energy - Ensure access to aff ordable, reliable, sustainable and clean energy for all.

Economy - Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.

Infrastructure - Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.

Inequality - Reduce inequality within and among countries.

Habitation - Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

Consumption - Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.

Climate - Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

Marine-ecosystems - Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

Ecosystems - Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, manage forests sustainably, combat desertifi cation, halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss.

Institutions - Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build eff ective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.

Sustainability - Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.

[worldstatisticsday]

Press conference on the Sustainable Developlent Goals Report 2022.

The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2022 is the only UN official report that monitors global progress on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Progress Chart · ‎Extended Report · ‎The Gender Snapshot 2022. 

Speakers:

Francesca Perucci, Assistant Director, UN Statistics Division

Dr. Samira Asma, Assistant Director-General for Data, Analytics and Delivery, World Health Organization

The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2022 - Regional Launch.

[delicatelysublimeforester]

Empowering Youth: How Digital Innovation is Transforming Sustainable Development

[worldipday]

Amplify the impact of the innovative and creative solution

Find out how intellectual property fosters the innovation and creativity we need to drive human progress, and connect IP to the SDGs to make the world a better place: World Intellectual Property Day April 26, 2024

Learn more about how IP rights help accelerate the innovation and creativity we need to advance the SDGs. Find IP training courses, tools, and networks to support your IP journey. Find moreResources and Tools (wipo.int).

[infobrainwave]

Achieving SDGs| How Key Players Drive Accountability in Action| Roles of Key Players in SDG Tracking

In today's global landscape, achieving the SDGs is a shared responsibility that extends far beyond governments alone. Join us on this journey as we uncover the strategies and actions taken by governments, businesses, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other key players to make sure these ambitious goals are not just lofty ideals but tangible realities.

Discover how these key players collaborate, innovate, and drive progress at local, national, and global levels. From policy-making to practical implementation, we'll showcase real-world examples of how accountability is established and maintained.

[developmentinformationday]

Six pathways to sustainable development.

UNCTAD calculated the costs along six key “transition pathways” that can amplify efforts and speed up progress towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution: Includes strengthening commitments under the Paris Agreement, improving ecosystem management, reducing the effects of disasters and integrating climate and biodiversity actions.

Energy transition: Includes transitioning to renewable energy and improving energy efficiency, providing universal access to affordable and clean electricity, including clean cooking.

Food systems: Includes action to eliminate hunger and malnutrition, shift from environmentally harmful practices, protect biodiversity and achieve climate neutrality.

Education transformation: Includes investing in education, early childhood development and care, and enhancing scientific research.

Social protection and decent jobs: Includes providing universal health care and social protection, promoting gender equality and inclusion in society and decision-making, advancing decent jobs and driving prosperity.

Inclusive digitalization: Includes progressing towards universal digital access and use of digital resources, equal access to banking and financial services and higher technology activities.

In addition to these six pathways, UNCTAD is working with UN Women to estimate the cost of achieving gender equality for certain SDG indicators.

[greenthestral]

Breaking Barriers: Empowering Women and Achieving Gender Equality (GOAL 5)

In today's rapidly evolving world, the pursuit of progress and inclusivity has become increasingly prominent. Among the numerous goals and aspirations, one objective stands out as essential for creating a fair and just society: achieving gender equality. Recognizing the urgency and significance of this matter, the United Nations established Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5) - Gender Equality. This global initiative emphasizes the elimination of gender-based discrimination and the empowerment of women and girls worldwide. Through exploring the objectives, challenges, and potential pathways to a more equitable future, this article aims to shed light on the immense significance of Goal 5.

SDG 5 encompasses a broad range of aspirations, all aimed at fostering gender equality. It strives to eradicate discrimination and violence against women, ensure equal access to quality education, enhance economic opportunities for women, and promote women's leadership and political participation. By addressing these key areas, SDG 5 seeks to establish a world in which every individual, regardless of gender, has equal opportunities, rights, and responsibilities.

One of the core objectives of Goal 5 is to end discrimination and violence against women. Despite significant progress in various areas, women continue to face gender-based discrimination in numerous facets of life. Whether it is in the realm of education, employment, healthcare, or political representation, women often encounter barriers that hinder their social and economic empowerment. Moreover, gender-based violence, including domestic violence and sexual harassment, remains distressingly prevalent worldwide, impeding progress toward gender equality.

Education plays a pivotal role in promoting gender equality and breaking down barriers. Goal 5 highlights the importance of ensuring equal access to quality education for girls and women. Education equips individuals with the necessary skills, knowledge, and confidence to pursue their aspirations and contribute meaningfully to society. By eliminating gender disparities in education, we can empower women and girls to break free from the cycle of poverty, discrimination, and limited opportunities.

Bridging the economic gap between genders is another key aspect of achieving gender equality. Goal 5 focuses on providing equal opportunities for women in the workforce, entrepreneurship, and economic decision-making processes. Economic empowerment of women not only benefits them individually but also contributes to overall societal development, poverty reduction, and economic growth. By breaking down barriers and biases, fostering supportive environments, and ensuring equal pay and opportunities, we can create a world where women's economic potential is fully realized.

Political participation and leadership are essential elements in the pursuit of gender equality. Goal 5 advocates for increasing women's participation in politics, governance, and leadership positions. When women are involved in shaping policies and decision-making processes, the needs and concerns of all individuals are better addressed. Women's perspectives and experiences bring valuable insights to the table, fostering more inclusive and effective governance.

While Goal 5 provides a comprehensive framework for progress, several challenges must be overcome to realize its objectives fully. Deep-rooted gender stereotypes continue to perpetuate inequality and restrict opportunities for women and girls. These stereotypes, ingrained in societal norms and expectations, limit the potential for progress. Challenging and dismantling these biases is crucial to achieving gender equality and creating a society that recognizes and values the contributions of all genders.

Inadequate legal and policy frameworks pose another significant challenge. Many countries lack comprehensive laws and policies that protect women's rights and promote gender equality. Strengthening legal protections against discrimination, violence, and unequal treatment is essential to creating an enabling environment for women and girls to thrive.

Access to education and healthcare also presents significant obstacles in the journey toward gender equality. In many parts of the world, girls still face barriers to accessing quality education and healthcare services. Factors such as poverty, cultural norms, and conflicts prevent girls from receiving the education and healthcare they deserve. Addressing these barriers and investing in inclusive education and healthcare systems are crucial steps toward empowering women and girls and breaking the cycle of poverty and inequality.

To pave the path to gender equality, collective efforts and a multi-faceted approach are necessary. Education and awareness play a critical role in challenging gender stereotypes, fostering inclusivity, and promoting equality. By educating individuals about the importance of gender equality and empowering women and girls, we can create a society that values and supports equal rights for all.

Economic empowerment serves as a catalyst for gender equality. Encouraging entrepreneurship, providing financial literacy, and ensuring equal pay and employment opportunities are vital steps toward women's economic independence and empowerment.

Strengthening legal frameworks and institutions is imperative. Governments and organizations must prioritize the establishment and enforcement of comprehensive legal frameworks that protect women's rights and ensure gender equality. Laws and policies addressing gender-based discrimination, violence, and unequal treatment must be implemented and enforced effectively.

Promoting women's leadership and participation in decision-making processes is crucial for achieving gender equality. Initiatives should focus on mentoring programs, leadership development, and creating inclusive spaces that encourage women's active involvement in politics, business, and community organizations.

Achieving gender equality is not only a fundamental human right but also a prerequisite for sustainable development. Sustainable Development Goal 5 - Gender Equality serves as a blueprint for addressing the challenges women and girls face worldwide. By eliminating discrimination, enhancing education and economic opportunities, and promoting women's leadership and political participation, we can build a future where gender equality prevails. It is our collective responsibility to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and foster an inclusive society that embraces the potential and contributions of all genders. Together, we can create a world where gender equality is not just a goal, but a lived reality.

 Understanding SDG 5: Gender Equality

Gender equality encompasses equal opportunities, rights, and responsibilities for all genders, ensuring that no one faces discrimination or limitations due to their gender. SDG 5 outlines the key areas that need attention to achieve this goal:

Ending Discrimination and Violence against Women

One of the core objectives of Goal 5 is to eradicate discrimination and violence against women. Despite substantial progress, women still face gender-based discrimination in various aspects of life, from education and employment to access to healthcare and political representation. Gender-based violence, including domestic violence and sexual harassment, remains prevalent worldwide, hindering women's social and economic empowerment.

Ensuring Access to Quality Education

Education plays a pivotal role in promoting gender equality. Goal 5 emphasizes the importance of ensuring equal access to quality education for girls and women. Education equips them with the skills, knowledge, and confidence necessary to pursue their aspirations and contribute to society. By eliminating gender disparities in education, we can empower women and girls to break free from the cycle of poverty and discrimination.

Enhancing Economic Opportunities for Women

Achieving gender equality also requires bridging the economic gap between genders. Goal 5 focuses on providing equal opportunities for women in the workforce, entrepreneurship, and economic decision-making processes. Women's economic empowerment not only benefits them but also contributes to overall societal development, poverty reduction, and economic growth.

 Promoting Women's Leadership and Political Participation

To establish gender equality, women's voices and perspectives must be represented in decision-making processes and leadership roles. SDG 5 advocates for increasing women's participation in politics, governance, and leadership positions. When women are involved in shaping policies and decision-making, the needs and concerns of all individuals are better addressed.

Challenges to Achieving Gender Equality

While Goal 5 provides a framework for progress, several challenges hinder its realization. These challenges include:

Deep-rooted Gender Stereotypes

Gender stereotypes and social norms perpetuate inequality and restrict opportunities for women and girls. Traditional beliefs that associate certain roles and behaviors with specific genders limit the potential for progress. Challenging and dismantling these stereotypes is crucial to achieving gender equality.

 Inadequate Legal and Policy Frameworks

Many countries lack comprehensive legal and policy frameworks that protect women's rights and promote gender equality. Strengthening legal protections against discrimination, violence, and unequal treatment is essential to creating an enabling environment for women and girls.

Limited Access to Education and Healthcare

In many parts of the world, girls still face barriers to accessing education and healthcare. Poverty, cultural norms, and conflict often prevent girls from receiving a quality education or adequate healthcare services. Addressing these barriers is crucial to empowering women and girls and breaking the cycle of poverty and inequality.

The Path to Gender Equality

Achieving gender equality requires collective efforts and a multi-faceted approach. Here are some key strategies to pave the path to equality:

Education and Awareness

Education and awareness play a critical role in challenging gender stereotypes, fostering inclusivity, and promoting equality. By educating individuals about the importance of gender equality and empowering women and girls, we can create a society that values and supports equal rights for all.

Empowering Women Economically

Economic empowerment is a catalyst for gender equality. Encouraging entrepreneurship, providing financial literacy, and ensuring equal pay and employment opportunities are vital steps toward women's economic independence and empowerment.

Strengthening Legal Frameworks

Governments and organizations must prioritize the establishment and enforcement of comprehensive legal frameworks that protect women's rights and ensure gender equality. Laws and policies addressing gender-based discrimination, violence, and unequal treatment must be implemented and enforced effectively.

Promoting Women's Leadership and Participation

Promoting women's leadership and participation in decision-making processes is crucial for achieving gender equality. Initiatives should focus on mentoring programs, leadership development, and creating inclusive spaces that encourage women's active involvement in politics, business, and community organizations.

Conclusion

Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right but also a prerequisite for achieving sustainable development. SDG 5 - Gender Equality serves as a blueprint for addressing the challenges women and girls face worldwide. By eliminating discrimination, enhancing education and economic opportunities, and promoting women's leadership and political participation, we can build a future where gender equality prevails. It is our collective responsibility to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and foster an inclusive society that embraces the potential and contributions of all genders. Together, we can create a world where gender equality is not just a goal, but a reality.

[publictaknews]

Budget 2023: 'India has made significant progress in several SDGs', says FM

India has made significant progress in several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and per capita income has increased 1.97 lakh, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Wednesday. He also said that the Indian economy has grown from 10th to 5th largest in size in the last nine years. Sitharaman said the government’s efforts since 2014 have ensured a better quality of life for the citizens of…

[my-vanishing-777]

“Between 2019 and 2022, nearly 40% of countries – home to more than 1 billion women and girls – stagnated or declined on gender equality.

The SDG index, which benchmarks gender equality across 139 countries, gave 45 countries – including large parts of west, central and sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and countries in Asia including Bangladesh and Myanmar – its worst rating of “very poor”.

In addition to the 857 million women and girls living in countries rated “very poor”, 1.5 billion lived in countries rated “poor”. Only one country, Switzerland, was rated “very good”.”

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

Ministers of Germany, Brazil, South Africa and Spain: why we need a global tax on billionaires

Finance chiefs say higher taxes for the super-rich are key to battling global inequality and climate crisis

When the governors of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund convened for the spring meetings last week, it was all about the really big questions. What can the international community do to accelerate decarbonisation and fight climate change? How can highly indebted countries retain fiscal space to invest in poverty eradication, social services and global public goods? What does the international community need to do to get back on track towards reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? How can multilateral development banks be strengthened to support these ambitions?

There is one issue that makes addressing these global challenges much harder: inequality. While the disparity between the richest and poorest countries has slightly narrowed, the gap remains alarmingly high. Moreover, in the past two decades, we have witnessed a significant increase in inequalities within most countries, with the income gap between the top 10% and the bottom 50% nearly doubling. Looking ahead, current global economic trends pose serious threats to progress towards higher equality.

The multidimensional character of inequality is undeniable. Basic services such as healthcare and education are not equally available to all. Often, this inequality of opportunity is handed down from generation to generation. Social origins, gender, race or where people live are some of the factors that play a role in reproducing inequalities. Furthermore, high inequality harms economic development because it inhibits innovation and prevents people from developing their full potential. It is corrosive to democracy and weakens social cohesion. And where social cohesion is weak, there is less support for the structural reforms we will need to undertake in the coming years, such as the necessary transformation towards a net zero economy.

Fortunately, there is a growing global awareness of the importance not only of growth, but of sustainable and equitable growth. Increasing prosperity while tackling inequality within and across countries and generations, including entrenched race and gender inequalities, should not be at odds. Achieving truly sustainable growth lies in balancing three fundamental concerns: economic, social, and environmental.

Continue reading.

[mariacallous]

For this year’s International Women’s Day, the United Nations calls on us to “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress.” The theme highlights how, amid a global polycrisis, achieving gender equality is vital for the collective well-being of communities worldwide. It calls attention to the significant challenges that persist in ensuring gender-equitable outcomes: in particular, evidence from the 2023 Gender Snapshot projecting that 340 million women and girls will still be living in poverty by 2030 and highlighting a significant funding shortfall—an additional $360 billion investment needed to achieve SDG goals of gender equality.

As global calls for financing for gender equality continue, it is vital to center care in these conversations. Over the past few decades, while programs focusing on women’s inclusion into the formal economy have made promising strides, much of the labor traditionally performed by girls and women, such as domestic and care work, is unpaid and not accounted for in conventional economic models. Globally, women perform an estimated 76 percent of unpaid care work. Even when paid, care work is often characterized by low wages and inadequate working conditions, especially for the most marginalized workers.

This International Women’s Day, as we reflect upon the advances made in the struggle for gender equality and justice in the previous decades, policy and program design would also be strengthened from addressing the relative invisibility of women’s labor across informal and care economies.

Situating women in global development

Globally, women’s inclusion as stakeholders in development processes emerged in the 1970s as part of a transnational “Women in Development” movement, which sought to position women as central to development—both as agents and beneficiaries. The movement’s advocacy translated into significant policy shifts, beginning with the 1973 Percy Amendment to the U.S. Foreign Assistance Act, requiring that “U.S. foreign aid programs encourage and promote the integration of women into the national economies in the developing countries.”

In the following decade, a broad array of global actors began championing women’s role in development. For example, the OECD instituted the Guiding Principles for Supporting the Role of Women in Development in 1983, and the World Bank established a Women in Development division in 1987. Galvanized by the U.N. Decade for Women (1975), along with decades of feminist research and organizing across the Global South and North, such programs ranged from women workers’ rights to small scale social enterprise, the latter of which were contemporaneous with the ascendancy of neoliberal policies in the 1980s and the faith in increasingly market-based solutions toward development.

But much like the biologically deterministic category of “woman” itself, actors working in the women in development space were far from homogenous. Over the intervening decades, their work has pushed theory and practice in new directions, introducing debates over whether women’s economic inclusion should be separated from advocating structural transformations in the political economy and asking what the roles of gender, race, caste, class, ability, and geopolitics are in women’s development programs. This has led to new frameworks, including those emphasizing gender relations, intersectionality, and global redistributive politics, which continue to shape contemporary debates in the broader field of gender and development.

In many of these debates, the gendered division of labor has been at the center. For example, feminist research on social reproduction—which broadly refers to the paid and unpaid labor necessary to sustain human life, such as care work—highlights not only that such labor has historically been seen as “women’s work” but also how its devaluation is fundamental in reproducing inequality and patriarchy.

Building care infrastructures for a gender-equal future

So, while today’s calls to invest in gender equality can fuel transformative initiatives, there are also perils associated with focusing solely on women’s inclusion in the formal labor market. Evaluating progress through this lens can not only render women who perform domestic or care work as “unworthy, disposable others,” but can also erase how race, class, and geopolitics shape labor across all gender identities. A broader view of the economy, which encompasses concepts of care, is fundamental in creating a more gender-equal future. In fact, Sustainable Development Goal 5.4 underscores the importance of valuing unpaid work by providing essential public services and promoting shared household responsibilities.

Building care infrastructures that recognize, fairly compensate, and redistribute the care work performed predominately by the working class, migrants, and women of color can lead to a multitude of benefits, including ensuring better educational outcomes for children, improving women’s mental well-being, and expanding women’s access to economic opportunities. One example of how the redistribution of care work can lead to gender equality is adequate and well-incentivized paternity leave, which can increase mothers’ probability of reemployment, promote maternal health, and advance gender and economic equality. Additionally, recognizing unpaid care and domestic work can help promote the elimination of discriminatory social norms and deep-rooted stereotypes around ideas of gender and labor–ultimately contributing to building more inclusive societies for all gender identities.

Looking forward

As global stakeholders respond to this year’s International Women’s Day call, determining who, how, and what to invest in can facilitate progress toward more equitable and sustainable development goals.

Who: Using an intersectional lens can enable stakeholders to identify how different systems of oppression—and the particularities between them—marginalize individuals and communities across all gender identities, and who should be centered in policy and programs.

How: The root causes of marginalization may then be addressed through a critical reflection of power dynamics across and within development contexts, and empowering local communities to chart their paths toward justice and equality, which can also inform recent “localization” efforts championed by development actors such as the U.S. Agency for International Development.

What: Finally, such shifts toward intersectionality and localization may also benefit from directly addressing inequities at the household, community, and national levels—in particular, both domestic work at home and in paid sectors such as education and health care—by developing concrete tools and infrastructures that value and redistribute care burdens.

As we craft new strategies to carry forward the decades-long fight to transform systems that sustain inequality and patriarchy, reimagining the relationships between gender, labor, and the economy is essential to building a more just future for all.

[cognitivejustice]

In 2009, the City of São Paulo made history by passing the Municipal Policy for Climate Change, making it the first city in Brazil to pass such legislation. Since then, this 12 million-people megacity has emerged as a shining example of dedication and progress towards sustainability. Central to this effort is São Paulo’s Action Plan for the Agenda 2030, comprising over 600 actions towards achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Last February, the City of São Paulo declared the acquisition of 32 private green areas as a public utility. Combined, they encompass 16,531 hectares, representing 11 percent of São Paulo’s territory, equivalent to the size of Paris or 15,500 football fields

Brazil ranks second globally in bus fleet electrification, only behind China, with São Paulo boasting the largest fleet of electric buses in Latin America.

Cultivating food security and urban farming

The Fight Food Waste and Loss Program collects surplus fruits and vegetables, preventing disposal from free fairs and municipal markets. Similarly, the city’s food bank buys fresh produce from family urban farms and redistributes surplus food from retail chains to registered assistance entities. This year, 321 tons of products have been delivered.

The city also has established programmes that offer essential goods at 50 percent lower prices for low-income residents. Other programmes provide free or very inexpensive meals for vulnerable communities, totalling over 2 million meals served in 2023.

Recognising urban agriculture’s multifaceted benefits, the SAMPA+RURAL Program aims to establish 400 urban farms and five school greenhouses by 2024. The programme’s online platform hosts over 2,600 initiatives, allowing citizens to discover local farmers and access eco-tourism options. São Paulo is thus creating a sustainability hub, fostering rural and urban agricultural development while promoting healthy living.

[princess-of-the-corner]

Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix Recap: Port Royal (He's a Pirate)

First of all, credit to Mudarrow and KH Wiki.

Second of all, I forgot to mention this: To complete the Titan Cup in Jiminy’s Journal, you need to finish with a score of 5000 or more. All you have to do to unlock it is clear the Hades Cup.

And now, back to our regularly scheduled recap.

In order to reunlock the last three Disney Worlds, we’re gonna have to clear Port Royal first.

The game opens on the stone chest that holds the cursed Aztec gold.

X of Organization XIII appears to be very interested in the cursed medallions.

The cutscene ends as he approaches the chest.

Sora, Donald, and Goofy arrive at the Rampart, and Goofy notices that something (I’m guessing sound, but this isn’t a voice acted cutscene) is coming from the port.

Sora suggests they check it out, and the player is given control of Sora.

Progressing to the Harbor reveals that Captain Jack Sparrow has gotten into a tussle with some Undead Pirates.

“Zola! Some assistance!” the Captain shouts over his shoulder.

“That’s SORA, Donald, and Goofy!” Sora corrects, even though Jack only got his name wrong (in the novelization, him getting SDG’s names wrong is a running gag).

“Will ye leave a mate to perish?” Jack asks as “He’s a Pirate” starts playing.

“Aye-aye,” Sora deadpans, before running into battle to help him.

Captain Jack Sparrow rejoins the party, and you just have to defeat all the pirates to progress.

After the last undead pirate falls, Sora notes that the pirates were cursed.

“I thought we’d seen the last of the curse of the Aztec gold…” Sora remarks as he, Donald, and Goofy turn to Jack Sparrow, “What gives?”

“Some scallywag must’ve got greedy,” Jack theorizes.

SDG give him a Look.

“Oh I see,” he remarks, “You don’t trust me, do you?”

Donald and Goofy nod.

“Likely a wise choice,” Jack praises, “I AM a pirate, mates.”

“Jack! Sora!”

Elizabeth runs up to Jack and our trio of heroes.

Sora greets her, while a thought bubble reveals that Jack is aware that she’s going to try and get him involved in “sticky business”.

Elizabeth stops him from leaving, and explains that the cursed pirates have returned.

“Will had to find out why…” she elaborates, “so he went to Isla de Muerta – to check on the Aztec treasure.”

She’s not seen him since then, and so asks the others to take her to him.

Jack tells her to do it herself, much to her unamused reaction.

She reminds him (in a dry tone you don’t need voice acting to hear) that it would require sailing to a faraway island and fighting off cursed pirates.

“Well, if any lass could…” Jack starts.

“Are you sure he’s in trouble?” Sora asks.

“No, not certain,” Elizabeth admits, “But he’s been gone far too long.

“I wanted to go with him, but he insisted I stay here.

“I can’t just sit and wait! I’ve got to know if he’s all right.”

Jack remarks that Will is a lucky man, but wants to know what’s in it for him if he helps Elizabeth.

Elizabeth responds by pointing out that Jack still owes Will for saving his life, and Jack finally agrees to help.

In order to progress, you need to head onto the dock, at which point Sora, Donald, Goofy, Jack Sparrow, and Elizabeth will automatically board the Black Pearl.

You can pick up a few Puzzle Pieces (since you can actually explore the Black Pearl for the first time), and then talk to Jack Sparrow to access the ocean map.

Select Isla de Meurta as your destination to continue.

After dealing with the enemy ambush, a cutscene plays.

Goofy looks off over the open ocean.

“Interceptor off the starboard bow!” he shouts.

Our heroes (and Jack) rush up to see the ship lazily drifting towards them, and Elizabeth notices Will’s unconscious body draped over the side of the ship.

She calls out his name, and Jack pays his respects.

“Stop that, Jack,” Elizabeth snaps, “We’ve got to rescue him!”

In the hold of the Black Pearl, Elizabeth wakes Will up.

“Elizabeth…”

“What happened?” she asks.

“The medallions… and… the stone chest – someone’s taken them…” Will explains, “Next thing I knew, we were attacked… but I couldn’t see who it was – his face was shrouded… in a black hood.”

“The Organization!” Sora remarks.

“We found a way out of the cave…” Will continues, “but the villain sent a horde of terrible creatures after us… I’ve never seen their likes before…

“I think I’m the only one who made it back to the ship…”

“Will…”

“Elizabeth… I feel rather…”

Will passes out again.

“Our turn, guys,” Sora remarks.

“You’d best go prepared,” Elizabeth replies, “We’ve no idea what’s out there.”

“Pardon me, lads and lass,” Jack intercepts, “but your captain will have no monsters today.

“Thank ye. We’re turning for home.”

“Just like that?” Elizabeth asks as Jack turns to walk towards the deck.

“Just like that!” Jack answers.

I suggest you save before going above deck.

Jack Sparrow is taken aback the second he steps onto the deck of the Black Pearl.

“Don’t remember invitin’ you,” he remarks.

The camera cuts to reveal the stone chest of Aztec gold on the deck, with X emerging from a Corridor of Darkness right next to it.

“So it was the Organization,” Sora states, “We’ll handle this!”

X briefly holds up a hand, then starts pacing and talking.

“The darkness of men’s hearts – drawn to these cursed medallions;” he opens, “and this Heartless – a veritable maelstrom of avarice:”

A large, skeletal, ghost-like Emblem Heartless, wielding a scythe-like pendulum, materializes behind him.

“I wonder, are they worthy to serve Organization XIII?”

“You want an answer now?” Jacka asks as “Sinister Shadows” starts playing.

“Precisely!” X answers as he vanishes through a Corridor of Darkness.

Cue boss battle with the Grim Reaper.

It can only attack by swinging its scythe around itself. It can also teleport to try and avoid damage.

Defeating it grants Sora Horizontal Slash (Unleashes a powerful attack that hits a target from left to right during a midair combo with [guard button]), Donald +4 Max HP, Goofy Draw (attract dropped items and prizes from a greater distance), and Jack Sparrow +15 Max HP.

The defeated Heartless falls into the ocean.

“Oh boy!” Donald cheers.

“Not over yet!” Sora reminds him, as X is standing behind the stone chest.

The Nobody pulls back his hood, revealing him to have blond hair and a beard, plus five earrings, two on his left ear, three on his right. All in all, probably the most normal-looking member of Organization XIII.

This is Luxord, and I promise you that you aren’t pronouncing that name correctly.

“Throw him overboard!” Captain Jack Sparrow orders.

“Aye-aye!” Sora agrees.

“Parley!“ Luxord declares.

“’Scuse me?” Jack replies.

“Barley?” Goofy questions.

“It’s a bit of a pirates’ code,” Jack explains, “Anyone who invokes ‘parley’ must not be harmed ‘til negotiations are complete.”

“This is no time for rules!” Sora protests.

“True,” Jack concedes, “But as we’re honorable pirates we should always stick to the Code.” He turns his attention to Luxord. “All right you, out with it!”

“I surrender the chest with my humblest apologies,” Luxord answers.

“Rather accommodating of you, mate,” Jack replies, “And for that you want…?”

“Just a few souvenirs…” Luxord answers as he reaches into the chest, “for the memories!”

“Huh?” Jack replies.

Luxord throws four cursed medallions into the air, letting four of his personalized Nobody subordinates grab one each and scatter over the edges of the ship.

“Oh no!” Goofy shouts, “We can’t stop the curse unless we have all the medallions!”

“Our friend’s about to learn what it means to cross a pirate,” Jack seethes.

“Oh?” Luxord questions as the ship rumbles.

The Grim Reaper bursts from the ocean, now rotten and surrounded by three ghostly skulls (each one alight with blue flames).

“Sora! Donald! Goofy!” Jack shouts, “He’s yours!”

The Grim Reaper swings its scythe, hitting Sora, Donald, Goofy, and Jack Sparrow with a powerful gust of wind that sends them flying onto the Interceptor.

Luxord raises a hand.

“Fire!”

The Black Pearl’s cannons fire.

Will and Elizabeth step up on deck, and are helpless to do anything but watch as the Interceptor is blown apart.

Sora, Donald, and Goofy wake up on the wreckage of the Interceptor to find Jack Sparrow is now undead.

“You stole a cured medallion again?!” Sora exclaims in disbelief.

“Were I only that fortunate…” Jack Sparrow remarks.

“Fortunate?” Donald questions.

“So, uh, how come you’re all skeleton-y?” Goofy asks.

“Perhaps I got a touch o’ somethin’ from that monster what attacked us,” Jack guesses, “Yet, why’s the skin restin’ right on you three?”

“’Cause we’re not greedy!” Donald declares, prompting Sora and Goofy to give him a funny look, “What’re you looking at?”

“That still doesn’t solve the mystery,” Sora points out.

Jack turns around and walks off, reverting back to normal when out of the moonlight.

“Gawrsh…” Goofy remarks, trying to speak quietly but failing, “Maybe the reason we’re all okay is because we’re not from this world.” Jack pauses in his step.

“There must be different laws,” Donald observes.

“Yeah… we’re always just passing through…” a dour Sora notes, “Wonder when we’ll see home again…”

“Sora…” a worried Donald speaks up.

“Heh!’ Sora forces himself to perk up, “Just kiddin’ you.

“Lucky we didn’t get cursed, huh?”

“Quit yammerin’, mates!” Jack chimes in, “We’ve got to find ourselves a ship that’ll float.”

Welcome to the Ship Graveyard. The Interceptor’s Hold has a Puzzle Piece, and a treasure chest that holds the Feather Charm.

The Feather Charm allows Sora to summon Peter Pan.

Peter flies alongside Sora and attacks enemies with his dagger. Sora’s command menu remains pretty much unchanged, outside of the “Summon” Command now kickstarting Peter’s limit.

Additionally, Tinkerbell flies around Sora, healing 5 HP every 5 seconds. Her face even appears in a tiny portrait next to Sora’s and Peter’s throughout the Summon. Just like in the first game, she can even revive Sora the first time his HP runs out while Peter Pan is summoned (although her portrait will disappear after this). It costs 3 Drive Gauges to summon him.

His Limit is “Never Land”.

Tinkerbell boops Sora on the nose as photographs of Neverland (as it was depicted in the first game) flash on screen, before he and Peter fly into the air. The “Attack” Command becomes “Tiny Fairy” (deals more damage and blows the enemies away) and the “The Flying Boy” Reaction Command becomes available (drags enemies into the air, dealing weaker-yet-constant damage).

Using them enough time produces the finisher: Journey’s End (Sora and Peter deal damage to surrounding enemies as a photograph of Sora sealing Neverland’s Keyhole appears on the screen).

Ahem, as for Port Royal itself, outside of the Ship Graveyard: Intercept’s Hull, you arrive at the Ship Graveyard: Seadrift Row. One of the items you can find here in a normal chest is the King’s Recipe, which allows you to synthesize Goofy’s strongest weapon, Save the King (+9 strength, +0 magic, Item Boost for the ability). Also, unrelated to the game itself, but KH Wiki incorrectly lists the “Queen Recipe” as necessary for synthesizing Save the King.

Once the party moves past Seadrift Row, they arrive at the Ship Graveyard: Seadrift Keep, where Donald spots one of the Nobodies Luxord sent out with the medallions.

Though the Nobody appears to be made of empty clothing in a shape vaguely reminiscent of a humanoid version of the Organization’s insignia, it is actually a Gambler one of Luxord’s servants. As this is a lone Gambler, it’s easy enough to defeat, but all Gambler’s actually have the following two Reaction Commands.

“Stop Dice” can be used when the Gambler prepares a dice attack. This starts a minigame. If Sora can activate the Reaction Command when it shows an “O”, he’ll win and be rewarded with Munny. If he activates it when it’s an “X” instead, or lets 3.5 seconds pass, he’ll temporarily be transformed into a living Dice (his own face displayed on the “one pip” face) and will be powerless to do anything but bounce around until the transformation wears off.

“Begin Game” can be used when the Gambler prepares a card attack. Sora’s Commands in the Command Menu will all be replaced with “X”-es. However, a single “O”, will rapidly move between the Command Menu’s options. Hit the “O” to win Munny and stun all nearby gamblers. Hit an “X” or let 3.3 seconds pass to transform Sora into a card instead.

With “Jackpot” they’ll drop even more Munny when you win their games, and with “Drive Converter” they’ll drop Drive Orbs instead, making them a good enemy for grinding out levels for Master Form.

When the Gambler is destroyed, it leaves behind one of the stolen medallions, with Jack revealing they only have three left to recover.

“A pirate must have a keen eye,” he explains, “Else he won’t be sailin’ free for very long. Savvy?”

Elizabeth and Will Turner sail up with the Black Pearl to pick up our heroes and Captain Jack Sparrow.

The party has recovered a Cursed Medallion and retrieved a Map of the Ship Graveyard.

In a text box cutscene, Sora explains how Organization XIII’s behind everything that’s gone wrong recently.

Goofy has no idea where they went, but Will reveals that the hooded man (Luxord, but he never said his name so only Jiminy knows that), took the pirates and his creatures with him when he left.

Thus, our party has a new objective: Track down the remaining three medallions and return them to the chest.

How do you do this?

Gamblers can be found in some of the normal enemy spawns at the Ship Graveyard or Isla de Muerta.

If the Gambler has a Medallion, you’ll have a time limit to defeat the Gambler before it automatically despawns. I don’t know if this is an automatic game over, or if it just means you have to track that specific Gambler down again, but the Gamblers aren’t particularly tough enemies either way, so the real threat will be the Undead Pirates who might protect them, as they’re COMPLETELY invincible unless you can lure them out into the moonlight.

Collecting all the medallions causes the party to automatically return to the Black Pearl, wherein they discuss what to do next.

Namely, return the medallions to the chest.

Will figures it’d be with the hooded man, and thus Sora suggests he’d take it and the Heartless to Port Royal. After all, Organization XIII is after people’s hearts.

Will is horrified at the idea of the Organization siccing the Heartless on the townspeople, and even Jack Sparrow doesn’t even BOTHER trying to contain his disgust as he notes that the Organization “makes we pirates look like proper gents!” as he’s still fed up over having somehow been cursed.

Jack doesn’t even need much convincing to go protect the people of Port Royal, as he’s just as eager as everyone else to stop whatever the Organization’s plan is.

Before you enter the boss fight, make sure Donald has Fire, Blizzard, and Thunder Magic equipped. Talk to Jack Sparrow when you’re ready, because the battle will begin as soon as you arrive in Port Royal.

Indeed, the Grim Reaper is waiting for the party as soon as they disembark from the Black Pearl, hovering above the stone chest.

“Go!” Jack Sparrow orders before running off, “He’s for me!”

The Grim Reaper chases after the captain, allowing Sora, Donald, Goofy, and Will to dump the Cursed Medallions into the stone chest.

As soon as Sora drops the medallions in, the Grim Reaper reverts back to its uncursed form.

But Jack Sparrow is still a skeleton.

It seems as if the Heartless was the source of the curse, rather than the cursed gold, and thus they’ll need to destroy it in order to lift the curse and solve the Undead Pirate Problem.

Unfortunately, right as they realize this, the Grim Reaper strikes the stone chest with its weapon, scattering several medallions and even sucking up a few in order to turn itself undead again.

Cue boss battle!

At the start of the battle, there are only 652 Medallions in the chest.  107 are held by the Grim Reaper, and the rest are scattered across the ground.

The Grim Reaper can spin its weapon above its head to create a cyclone that’ll let it suck up loose medallions. It can also direct the burning skulls orbiting its body to attack in its stead. If an attack hits Sora while he’s carrying medallions, he’ll drop his medallions, allowing the Heartless to collect them.

In order to make the Grim Reaper drop medallions, you have to use magic to make it drop them. Fire causes it to run around flailing, Thunder makes it bounce, and Blizzard freezes it in place, each attack causing it to “bleed” medallions.

Melee attacks make the Grim Reaper drop MP orbs when its in its undead form.

When Sora is near the chest, he can use the “Return” Reaction Command to put all of the Medallions he’s carrying back in the chest.

The Grim Reaper is only vulnerable when all 882 medallions are in the chest, as that reverts it back to its base form.

Once it’s vulnerable, it more or less fights exactly like it did back in its first battle, but it can ALSO strike the stone chest with a gust of wind to blow out and suck up a couple hundred medallions.

When depleted to 70% HP, it gets an extra trick while undead: It can plant itself by the chest and start sucking out even MORE medallions.

When it starts doing this, Sora needs to run up to its weapon and use the “Hinder” Reaction Command to spin around it, stopping the Medallion draining. This leads into “Loot Launch” which allows Sora to strike the heartless with its own weapon, scattering many of the medallions it had already consumed.

When the Grim Reaper is on its last legs, it will absorb ALL of the medallions and vanish into its burning skulls, supersizing the skulls so they can stomp all over the battlefield and send out fiery shockwaves. You just need to survive the onslaught.

Also, if you let it curse itself AGAIN at even lower HP, the Grim Reaper will counter the “Return” Reaction Command by planting itself near the chest to suck the returned medallions right back out, which can be used to bait it into an ideal position of using “Hinder” and “Loot Launch” to knock even MORE medallions out of it.

Defeating the Grim Reaper rewards Sora with a Magnet Element (upgrading “Magnet” to “Magnera”), Donald with Flare Force (Grants Sora access to Donald’s “Duck Flare” limit command. Donald rides on Sora’s shoulders, granting him the “Rocket Flare” Reaction Command. “Rocket Flare” sends a series of target-seeking rockets. Using Rocket Flare four times grants “Megaduck Flare” the finishing move. Donald conjures a barrage of firework rockets to home in on a single enemy and damage all the surrounding ones), Goofy gets +4 Max HP, and Jack Sparrow gets +15 Max HP.

Defeating the Heartless did indeed break the curse on Jack, but Luxord was still able to capture the Grim Reaper’s captive heart after it was defeated.

“Sora, bravo!” he praises, before vanishing into a Corridor of Darkness.

Jack Sparrow asks what his deal is, and Sora explains that he’s part of an Organization that’s collecting hearts.

“First, they release Heartless into different worlds,” Sora explains, “We defeat those Heartless. Then, they get the hearts.

“We’re never gonna stop them like this!”

“What’s the plan, then?” Jack Sparrow asks.

“We’ve got to find their stronghold and finish them off once and for all,” Sora declares.

Jack Sparrow answers, truthfully, that it’s probably the strangest tale he’s ever heard.

Will and Elizabeth ask what they can do to help, and Jack notes that there’s something they CAN do to make Sora’s job a little easier.

As the camera fades out, Secret Ansem’s Report 6 is unlocked:

My choice to befriend darkness here in the midst of nothingness was a sound one.

The moment I stared straight ahead with a calm heart, neither rejecting darkness nor fearing it, I gained a newfound power.

A superhuman power—the power of darkness.

It is likely Xehanort and the others were enraptured by this power, eventually becoming its prisoners.

I do not intend to allow my heart to be devoured by the darkness, as they did, of course.

With this new power, I uncovered a "corridor of darkness” that connects the realm of nothingness to the outside world. While it is still difficult to come and go as I please, my banishment is now a thing of the past.

To deceive Xehanort and my apprentices, I first used my power to change form before returning to the realm of light.

As I had suspected, Xehanort had become a Heartless.

Under my name, he commanded other Heartless in quests to snatch away the hearts of many different worlds.

At the center of the heart Xehanort has stolen was “Kingdom Hearts,” which attracts tremendous darkness itself and attempts to send any and all matter back into its depths.

The other five have disappeared. Have they become Heartless, like Xehanort?

Or did they vanish after Xehanort exploited them?

I became familiar with an unusual “entity” while pursuing the truth.

It is the soul and body that remain when a being loses its heart.

When a Heartless is born, these entities disappear from the realm of light, to be reborn as entirely new beings in a completely different realm.

Back on the high seas, Jack, Will, and Elizabeth dump the stone chest into the depths of the ocean, ensuring that it and its cursed gold will be forever lost to the abyss.

Organization XIII will never weaponize the curse again.

Jack Sparrow then claims that he only did this because he couldn’t have the Organization and the Heartless competing with pirates like him, with Elizabeth noting that they thought he was trying to help the townsfolk. Jack claims that a pirate always looks for profit first and foremost, and Sora jokingly notes that he thought he had turned over a new leaf.

“The question is, what’s beyond the leaf? Savvy?” Jack Sparrow replies.

Elizabeth realizes Jack wants a reward, and Jack confirms that he wants the Keyblade.

Sora acquiesces immediately, much to Jack’s confusion and suspicion, knowing immediately that there’s some kind of catch.

So, he’s not surprised at all when the Keyblade magically returns to Sora’s hand. While Sora implies that having the Black Pearl should be enough for Jack Sparrow, Jack just figures he can put together a pirate crew and take the Keyblade himself later on, figuring he’ll figure out a way to hold onto it for more than a fraction of a second by then. He notes that he’d like Will and Elizabeth to join his crew once he has the Keyblade, and Elizabeth agrees pretty much instantly, perhaps figuring that there’s no way Jack would ACTUALLY be able to take Sora’s Keyblade.

Goofy ponders that Jack might be able to wield a Keyblade himself someday, noting how similar he and Sora are (???).

“Are not!” Jack and Sora reply in perfect unison.

Cue everyone laughs ending!

Port Royal’s story closes on Jack Sparrow sailing the Black Pearl off into the distance as Will, Elizabeth, and Sora note that Jack’s the best pirate to ever sail the Spanish Main, “He’s a Pirate” playing in the background.

Back in Gummi Space, Chip and Dale pick up the same weird reading from before, noting that it gets stronger every time Sora helps somebody.

With that, Agrabah and Halloween Town have been reunlocked.

And with Magnera, we can continue Atlantica’s story. (Behind Atlantica, a massive city the size of five worlds is slowly becoming visible.) Next time, it’s back to Atlantica.

-

Honestly I like this boss battle.

Don’t get me wrong it sounds like absolute hell to playthrough but the mechanics, in theory, are neat!

Also Jack being sure that if anyone could go off on their own and save the day it’d be Elizabeth.

[darkmaga-retard]

Will the UN's attempt to usurp world governance get the slapdown it invites?

Meryl Nass

Sep 18, 2024

I have excerpted key sections from a long article published by Devex, “the Global Development Newsletter.”

https://www.devex.com/news/un-future-summit-seeks-to-unite-a-fractured-world-108305?

Not one of the five big powers (the permanent members of the Security Council) will be represented by a head of state or government at the summit. [I guess they don���t want any of the doodoo or recriminations to land on themselves.—Nass]

… With negotiations entering their final lap, Russia is leading a coalition of autocratic governments, including Iran, Nicaragua, Syria, and Venezuela, in a last-ditch effort to scrap a series of contentious provisions from three declarations — the Pact for the Future, a Global Digital Compact, and a Declaration on Future Generations — which are to be endorsed on Sunday by world leaders. They include the standard menu of the autocrats’ targets: Protections for human rights, gender equality, and freedom of expression.

They seek the removal of clauses that urge governments not to enact internet shutdowns, or impose economic sanctions, and the removal of language that erects legal guardrails to prevent the excessive use of electronic and digital surveillance of their citizens. The talks, said one U.N. insider, are expected to “go down to the wire.”

… For many, the high-level gathering provides another annual opportunity to mark the abject failure of governments to achieve the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals aimed at ending extreme poverty and inequality by the year 2030, undermining the very notion that history is bending on an arc toward progress and justice. Since 2015, when the SDGs were launched, key barometers of human well-being and progress have been sliding backward. Instead of achieving their aim of ending extreme poverty by 2030, governments are observing increasingly high levels of poverty.

[coffeecafecake]

Partnering For Impact: How CSR initiatives with Marpu Foundation Drive Change

"Marpu" - a synonym for transformation - was established by the respected National Youth Awardee, Mr. Kadiri Raghu Vamsi. At Marpu Foundation, we harness individual potential to bring about positive change in the world.

Marpu Foundation’s impactful journey across 22 states, tailored to create sustainable developments in communities. Choose a project that resonates with your CSR aspirations - be it in education, health, or environmental conservation.

From#CoffeeCafeCake:

Corporate Social Responsibility: As we know, with the increasing population, Government would not be able to provide enough employment opportunities in future. We are on the edge of something that will drive our lives in a tough trough curve, the Future Depression.

Only Corporates can provide for such a huge demand of opportunities for job creation and people's well being not the government because while the government's interference is needed but government does many welfare works for the nation along with competing global world so it would be difficult for the government for such a need.

And as we know corporates work mostly for profit( some are non profit also, NGOs etc) and this profit is connected with social welfare of people mostly related to employment opportunities.

So there is a lack of control, focus and Cooperation for the ill impacts of it in the Environment it works whether physical or abstract in nature.

CSR helps in tackling such problems by keeping aside a fix or predefined value of compensatory responsibility assets/capital.

Marpu Foundation is working in such a way that it can extend from grassroots of the society ( the youngsters) and then to upper strata.

By partnering with the Marpu Foundation, companies can make a real and tangible impact on the lives of people who need it most.

In September 2015, all 193 Member States of the United Nations adopted a plan for achieving a better future for all — laying out a path over the next 15 years to end extreme poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and protect our planet. At the heart of “Agenda 2030” are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which clearly define the world we want — applying to all nations and leaving no one behind.

All Companies Can Play a Role

No matter how large or small, and regardless of their industry, all companies can contribute to the SDGs. While the scale and scope of the global goals is unprecedented, the fundamental ways that business can contribute remain unchanged. The UN Global Compact asks companies to first do business responsibly and then pursue opportunities to solve societal challenges through business innovation and collaboration.

Global challenges – ranging from climate, water and food crises, to poverty, conflict and inequality – are in need of solutions that the private sector can deliver, representing a large and growing market for business innovation. In the rush to transform business models and systems for the future, integrity and values will have a huge role to play. For companies wanting to advance the SDG agenda, the job starts by acting responsibly – incorporating the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact widely into strategies and operations, and understanding that good practices or innovation in one area cannot make up for doing harm in another.

Empowering Change: Top NGOs in Chennai and Their Transformative Impact

Chennai, a city known for its rich culture and history, is also a vibrant hub for social change, driven by numerous non-governmental organizations (NGOs). These NGOs address a wide array of social issues, from education and healthcare to environmental conservation and women’s empowerment. This blog highlights the leading NGOs in Chennai, focusing on their key initiatives and subtly emphasizing the Marpu Foundation’s unique role in driving societal progress.

Marpu Foundation is celebrated for its comprehensive approach to social issues, particularly its initiatives that integrate education with healthcare services, ensuring holistic community development. Their projects, such as the “Clean Chennai, Green Chennai” campaign, have significantly improved urban environments and public health.

Chennai Social Service has facilitated numerous programs aimed at empowering marginalized groups by providing vocational training and entrepreneurship opportunities, thereby fostering economic independence and social inclusion.

This is one of the Examples of Achievements of Marpu Foundation.

[coochiequeens]

This December 3rd remember that one in every five women is likely to experience disability in her life

The classroom in the Kamurasi Demonstration School in Masindi Municipality, Uganda, with the Ugandan Sign language alphabet drawn on the wall.

PHOTO:UNICEF/Uganda/Barbeyrac

United in action to rescue and achieve the SDGs for, with and by persons with disabilities

Given the multiple crises we are facing today, the world is not on track to reach numerous Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets by 2030. Preliminary findings from the forthcoming UN Disability and Development Report 2023 indicate that the world is even more off-track in meeting several SDGs for persons with disabilities.

Our efforts to rescue the SDGs for, with, and by persons with disabilities, need to be intensified and accelerated, given that persons with disabilities have historically been marginalized and have often been among those left furthest behind.

A fundamental shift in commitment, solidarity, financing and action is critical. Encouragingly, with the adoption of the Political Declaration of the recent SDG Summit, world leaders have recommitted themselves to achieving sustainable development and shared prosperity for all, by focusing on policies and actions that target the poorest and most vulnerable, including persons with disabilities.

The United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy

When launching the United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy in June 2019, the Secretary-General stated that the United Nations should lead by example and raise the Organization’s standards and performance on disability inclusion—across all pillars of work, from headquarters to the field.  

The United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy provides the foundation for sustainable and transformative progress on disability inclusion through all pillars of the work of the United Nations. Through the Strategy, the United Nations system reaffirms that the full and complete realization of the human rights of all persons with disabilities is an inalienable, integral and indivisible part of all human rights and fundamental freedoms.

In August 2023, the Secretary-General submitted his fourth report on steps taken by the UN system to  implement the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy in 2022.

Commemorative Event : UNHQ, 1 December 2023, 10am-1pm (New York Time)

The discussion will be structured around five pillars of sustainable development – People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnerships – with a special focus on the priority areas identified in the SDG Progress Report of 2023, in the outcome document of the recent SDG Summit, in policy briefs prepared for the Summit for the Future and in the forthcoming UN Disability and Development Report 2023. For purposes of this discussion, the priority areas can be identified as gender equality (People), climate action (Planet), financing for development (Prosperity), a new agenda for peace (Peace) and strengthening multilateralism (Partnerships).

Concept note [PDF]

Did you know? 

Of the one billion population of persons with disabilities, 80% live in developing countries.

An estimated 46% of older people aged 60 years and over are people with disabilities.

One in every five women is likely to experience disability in her life, while one in every ten children is a child with a disability.