SDGs

Michael Simpson, Executive Director, Secure World Foundation (left); Simonetta Di Pippo, Director, United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) (centre); and Mohammed Nasser Al-AHBABI, of the United Arab Emirates Space Agency (right).

Space community underlines need for stronger cooperation as UN conference in Dubai closes

24 November 2016
Global

Members of the global space community have affirmed the need for stronger international cooperation and dialogue as they wrapped up the work of a high-level United Nations forum in Dubai.

Innovators using a specialised computer.
UNICEF/Giacomo Pirozzi

With ‘Silicon Valley’ model, UNICEF invests in tech start-ups working to improve children’s lives

15 November 2016
Global

Using a venture capital approach – investing in companies with short track records but long-term growth possibilities – the United Nations Children’s Fund announced today the first five emerging market start-ups to which it will provide seed money to source solutions for issues like transportation, wearable technology, finance, and personal data.

Michelle Yeoh and UNDP announced the names of the panda ambassadors at the 7th Social Good Summit in New York.
UNDP

FEATURE: Two panda cubs, two little girls and the Sustainable Development Goals

21 September 2016
Asia Pacific

What do two panda cubs and two Fijian girls have to do with the Sustainable Development Goals?

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon presents his annual report on the work of the Organization at the opening of the general debate of the General Assembly’s seventy-first session.
UN Photo/Cia Pak

Opening Assembly debate, Ban calls on world leaders ‘act now,’ work together for a better future

20 September 2016
Global

Highlighting the challenges confronting the global community, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today opened the 71st annual debate of the UN General Assembly with a call on world leaders to recognize that the important positions they hold are a reflection of the trust the people have in them and “not personal property.”

Source: Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) report.

First progress report on Sustainable Development Agenda aims to leave no one behind

20 July 2016
Global

The first ever progress report on the new global development agenda provides the most up-to-date statistics on poverty, hunger, education and sanitation, among others, so that the world can address urgent global challenges over the next 15 years.

Outside a Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka.
IRIN

On Day of Vesak, UN chief says Buddhism can help enlighten world about pressing issues

20 May 2016
Global

Observing the Day of Vesak, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon highlighted how the teachings of Buddhism can help the international community tackle pressing challenges, including mass population movements, violent conflicts, atrocious human rights abuses and hateful rhetoric aimed at dividing communities.

Photo: NASA/Bill Ingalls
NASA/Bill Ingalls

UN marks 55th anniversary of first human flight into outer space

12 April 2016
Global

The United Nations today observed the International Day of Human Space Flight to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the first human space flight, which ushered in the beginning of the space era for mankind.

Architect Alejandro Aravena.
Copyright and courtesy of ELEMENTAL/Cristobal Palma

People-focused urban planning is key to sustainable future, Pritzker Prize winning architect says at UN

5 April 2016
Americas

The role that architecture can play in creating cities that are more sustainable and liveable – a vital element of the United Nations 2030 Agenda, in which economic inclusion, social development and environmental protection converge in a universal roadmap for global action – was in the spotlight at UN Headquarters today as this year’s Pritzker Architecture Prize laureate discussed his work and the road to a more inclusive future.