SDGs

Morning in the streets of Melen, a slum area in the middle of Cameroon's capital Yaoundé.
UN-Habitat/Kirsten Milhahn

FROM THE FIELD: Turning waste into a business in the slums of Yaoundé, Cameroon

31 July 2019
Africa

The increasing volume and complexity of waste associated with modern economies is posing a serious risk to ecosystems and human health. Every year, an estimated 11.2 billion tons of solid waste are collected worldwide, according to the UN Environment Programme.

Rhonda King (left) passes the gavel of the ECOSOC presidency to Mona Juul. (25 July 2019)
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

New President of top UN economic and social body to push for development financing, fundamental freedoms ‘for all’

25 July 2019
Global

In her inaugural speech as President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Mona Juul, of Norway, underscored that the body’s mandate today remains “as relevant and compelling” as it did back in 1945 when it was tasked with “fostering international cooperation on economic, social, and cultural issues”.

Inga Rhonda King, President of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
UN Photo/Loey Felipe

Top UN sustainable development forum closes with galvanized effort toward ‘empowerment, inclusiveness and equality’

19 July 2019

In closing the High-level Segment of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) on Friday, President Inga Rhonda King assured participants that the session had contributed significantly to advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

Women farmers in a community hard hit by drought gather in Kenya. To deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals, new ways of collective action are needed.
World Bank/Flore de Preneuf

‘Stay together and step up’ action to meet Global Goals, ECOSOC President tells development forum

18 July 2019
Global

We can realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 “if we all stay together and step up our actions”, Inga Rhonda King, President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ESOSOC), said on Thursday.

Ms. Jayathma Wickramanayake, the Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth, addressing Security Council meeting Maintenance of international peace and security : Implementation of the youth, peace and security agenda. (17 July 2019)
UN Photo/Loey Felipe

‘Young people care about peace’: UN Youth Envoy delivers key message to Security Council

17 July 2019
Global

After visiting refugee camps in Jordan, UN-backed schools in Gaza, municipalities in Kosovo and Youth Councils in Denmark, the UN’s Youth Envoy visited the Security Council on Wednesday with a simple message from the field that “young people care about peace”.

In Koyli Alpha, Senegal, women from the community work in tree nurseries created in the village as part of the Great Green Wall Initiative. The reserve aims to improve the living conditions of populations, improve biodiversity conservation and promote sustainability of the land.
NOOR for FAO/Benedicte Kurzen

Tuesday’s Daily Brief: inclusion in development, Asia monsoons, Ebola risk for youth, obesity and Yemen latest

16 July 2019
Global

In today’s Daily Brief: Inclusion resonates widely at development meeting, UN offers help after monsoons devastate Asia, DR Congo Ebola effecting children, obesity plagues island communities, Yemen’s warring parties agree to ceasefire for key port

The women of Bokiat Village, Timbuktu, present fresh onions from their vegetable garden where UNICEF, with the support of Sweden, rehabilitated a manual water pump. (13 March 2019)
© UNICEF

Inclusion, empowerment and equality, must be ‘at the heart of our efforts’ to ensure sustainable development, says UN chief

16 July 2019
Global

The world’s people are demanding “transformative change that is fair and sustainable,” Secretary-General António Guterres said on Tuesday, calling on government leaders to use the upcoming slate of key United Nations meetings in September to “kickstart a decade of delivery and action for people and planet.” 

World Bank Project to boost sustainable agriculture in Brazil
Government of the State of Paraíba

Governments at UN forum on development urged to close spending gaps, honour aid commitments

15 July 2019
Global

The main UN platform following up on Member States’ actions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) continued its work Monday taking up the issue of finance, including examining ways to better align and distribute funds for development at national, as well as global levels.

While women have come a long way since the adoption of the Beijing Platform for Action nearly 25 years ago, they still lag behind on virtually every Sustainable Development Goal (SDG).
UN Women India

‘No hope’ global development goals can be achieved without women, says UN Assembly President

15 July 2019
Global

Without the full participation and leadership of women, “we have no hope” of realizing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the President of the United Nations General Assembly told gender equality leaders on Monday.

For proper development and good health in later life, the World Health Organization (WHO) spells out that children should be breastfed, exclusively, for the first six months.
© UNICEF/UNI38976/LeMoyne

Baby foods high in sugar, inappropriately marketed in Europe, reveal two UN studies

15 July 2019
Global

Proper nutrition for newborn babies into early childhood is key to development and good health in later life, according to the Regional Director of the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) in Europe, as she launched two new studies on Monday.