#UNDESA

[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!

[southsouthcooperationday]

Multi-stakeholder round table 9: Data, monitoring and follow-up.

8th Plenary meeting - Round table at the First Session of the Preparatory Committee for the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 22-26 July 2024. Data, including data on financing, is crucial for assessing progress and guiding actions towards achieving th...

Watch the Multi-stakeholder round table 9: Data, monitoring and follow-up!

[sciencedayforpeaceanddev]

Harnessing the Power of Science for the SDGs: Evidence-Based Implementation Successes Worldwide.

This year, during the High-Level Political Forum 2024 (HLPF) country delegations, the scientific community, NGOs, and other key stakeholders reconvene for a second time to continue discussing the role of science in SDG acceleration. Science Day is an initiative co-convened by SEI, UNDP,  UN SDSN, ISC, and UN DESA to position the need for including scientific evidence in the decision-making around the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2030.

Watch Science Day 2024 - Harnessing the Power of Science for the SDGs - Evidence-Based Implementation Successes Worldwide (HLPF 2024 Side Event)!

[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!

[worldelderabuseawarenessday]

Combating violence, abuse and neglect of older persons during conflict situations.

Welcome remarks

- Amal Abou Rafeh, Chief of the Programme on Ageing Section, UN DESA

Opening remarks - Luciano Hernan Escobar, Minister Plenipotentiary, Permanent Mission of Argentina to the United Nations

Moderator

Rio Hada, Chief of the Equality, Development and Rule of Law Section, OHCHR New York Office

Tribute to Elizabeth Podnieks, Founder of WEAAD by Yongjie Yon

Panel members

Nataša Todorović, Elder Abuse Prevention Expert at Red Cross of Serbia, and President of the Gerontological Society of Serbia

Yongjie Yon, Technical Officer, Ageing and Health, Division of Country Health Policies and Systems, WHO Regional office for Europe

Claudia Mahler, United Nations Independent Expert on the Enjoyment of All Human Rights by Older Persons

Junior Safari Runiga, Conseiller Chargé d’Études à la Commission Nationale des Droits de l'Homme "CNDH-RDC"

Laura Mills, Age and Disability Researcher, Crisis Response, Amnesty International

Dorcas Shambi Mwandembo - Intervention on crisis in Kenya, Intern at INPEA

Closing

Susan Somers, President, International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse

[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

[indigenouspeopleday]

Understanding and Building Indigenous Peoples Resilience to Climate Shocks (UNPFII Side Event).

The event will share findings from the recent World Bank study "Understanding and Building Indigenous Peoples' Resilience to Climate Shocks," which presents a framework that identifies key drivers and enablers that support Indigenous Peoples' resilience to climate and other external shocks.

Increasing geopolitical tensions and the alarming rate and impacts of climate change have reinforced the need for innovation and urgent action. Indigenous Peoples are critical partners in global efforts to stop climate change and protect nature. At the same time, the deep interconnection with nature to sustain their ways of life make Indigenous Peoples disproportionately vulnerable to a changing climate. The event will also host a panel discussion with representatives from regional Indigenous Peoples organizations across Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa and South Asia—Foro Indigena de Abya Yala (FIAY), Mainyoito Pastoralists Integrated Development Organization (MPIDO), and Center for Indigenous Peoples' Research and Development (CIPRED)—to explore their perspectives on the study's findings and on resilience strategies for Indigenous Peoples. The side event offers an opportunity for a deeper understanding into how Indigenous Peoples themselves perceive resilience, and their perspectives on the key drivers and enablers of such resilience. It also involves grasping the values that form the foundation of the Indigenous perspective and the goals they strive to achieve.

Watch the side-event "Understanding and Building Indigenous Peoples Resilience to Climate Shocks" (UNPFII Side Event)

[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

[disasterriskreductionday]

General Assembly: Briefing by the Co-Chairs of the High-Level Panel on the Development of a Multidimensional Vulnerability Index for Small Island Developing States - Informal meeting of the plenary, 78th session.

Briefing by the Co-Chairs of the High-Level Panel on the Development of a Multidimensional Vulnerability Index for Small Island Developing States - Informal meeting of the plenary, 78th session

Watch the General Assembly: Briefing by the Co-Chairs of the High-Level Panel on the Development of a Multidimensional Vulnerability Index for Small Island Developing States - Informal meeting of the plenary, 78th session.

[intlforestday]

Celebration of the 2024 International Day of Forests.

Forests sustain us in countless ways – from clean air and water to food and medicine, income and livelihoods, and even sustainable fashion. Being near trees and forests can inspire creativity, reduce stress, and improve your mood.

The world's forests cover nearly one-third of all land, providing carbon storage and biodiversity habitat while building our resilience to withstand storms and other natural disasters. Yet despite all that they provide us, forests are often undervalued, and every year we continue to lose ten million hectares of forests.

Innovations in science and technology now make it possible for countries to use remote sensing, drone technology, and artificial intelligence to monitor the health of their forests for mapping and monitoring, tree planting, measuring carbon, and early wildfire detection.

At the same time, innovative forest products provide sustainable alternatives for construction materials, textiles, and new types of plastic and medical products. Exploring the possibilities for forest products in building our greener future is limited only by the breadth of our imagination. This is why the theme of this year's International Day of Forests on 21 March 2024, is "Forests and Innovation".

UN DESA's UN Forum on Forests Secretariat will organize a special event to celebrate the International Day on 21 March at UNHQ in New York. The event will feature senior UN and government officials, technical experts, and civil society, all sharing their perspectives on how we can promote innovation to help the world's forests. It will highlight the importance of implementing the UN Strategic Plan for Forests and achieving the Global Forest Goals by 2030. 

Related Sites and Documents

International Day of Forests Webpage

Provisional Programme 

Watch the celebration of the International Day of Forests 2024.

[developmentinformationday]

World Economic Situation and Prospects 2024.

Extended period of low economic growth looms large, undermining progress on sustainable development.

The world economy in 2023 proved to be resilient, exceeding expectations with an estimated growth rate of 2.7 per cent, higher than the 2.3 per cent forecast last May. However, this better-than-expected performance masks underlying short-term risks and structural vulnerabilities. The World Economic Situation and Prospects 2024, launched today in New York, presents a sombre economic outlook for the near term, with global growth in 2024 projected to slow to 2.4 per cent. Persistently high interest rates, potential escalation of conflicts, sluggish international trade, and increasing climate disasters, pose significant challenges to the world economy.

[southsouthcooperationday]

(16th meeting) First Session Ad Hoc Committee to Draft Terms of Reference for a United Nations Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation.

First Session Ad Hoc Committee to Draft Terms of Reference for a United Nations Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation will be held from 26 April – 8 May 2024.

Dialogue on developing country priorities for capacity building to support their effective participation in the negotiation of the Framework Convention.

Watch the (16th meeting) First Session Ad Hoc Committee to Draft Terms of Reference for a United Nations Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation!

[humansolidarityday]

Happy Human Solidarity Day!

A call for solidarity and action.

[worldcitiesday]

(Part 2) Action and Leadership from the Ground Up: Towards the Rescue Plan for People and the Planet.

The Local and Regional Governments Forum will therefore bring together local, regional, and national governments as well as representatives from the United Nations and other stakeholders to announce strong commitments, present coalitions for policy change, and illustrate high-impact localization policies. The Forum will also reflect on the importance of Voluntary Local and Voluntary Subnational Reviews in the acceleration of the implementation of the SDGs as reporting tools but also policy tools. The Forum will provide reflections on the constituency's priorities and aspirations for the UN Summit of the Future in 2024 and the World Social Summit in 2025.

[waterandenergyrelief]

UN DESA Global Policy Dialogues to Turbocharge SDG Implementation - Session 1: Accelerating Clean Water and Energy for All: Exploring SDGs 6 and 7.

Halfway into the mandate of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the world continues to face challenges including the socioeconomic effects of the pandemic, the climate crisis and global conflicts, that are together exposing and exacerbating global inequalities and setting back hard-earned development progress. Our collective aim of realizing the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 is at risk.

The UN DESA will host two Global Policy Dialogues in June (20 June and 22 June) to discuss ways to strengthen the interlinkages between the Goals under review and present the information in an interactive format for a wide audience.

Both events will feature speakers from United Nations leadership, Member States, the United Nations High-level Advisory Board on Economic and Social Affairs, and the Independent Group of Scientists preparing the Global Sustainable Development Report 2023. Each discussion will include ways to build and scale partnerships to reach our targets.

With these two dialogues, UN DESA hopes to enhance the preparedness of Member States and the United Nations system to respond to multi-dimensional, systemic risks in today's interconnected world. These dialogues are made possible by the United Nations Peace and Development Trust Fund;