What does it mean to build a society where everyone truly belongs? In a world increasingly shaped by digital divides, demographic shifts and climate disruption, the promise of ‘social development for all’ feels urgent, if elusive.
Muniba Mazari has developed a powerful voice as an artist, humanitarian and disability rights activist, earning her the nickname “The Iron Lady of Pakistan.” Earlier this year, UN chief António Guterres appointed Ms. Mazari as an SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) Advocate, joining a small group of influential public figures using their platforms to dedicated to a fairer future for people and the planet.
Deputy UN Secretary-General Amina Mohammed thanked the crowd at New York’s Global Citizen Festival on Saturday for using their voice for justice and “refusing to give up on a better world.”
The UN Secretary-General opened the General Assembly high-level debate with a stark message: the world is awash with overlapping crises – from wars and humanitarian emergencies to climate breakdown – and leaders must decide now “what kind of world we choose to build together.”
Secretary-General António Guterres has issued a stark call to world leaders on the eve of the United Nations General Assembly’s high-level week, warning that a “global crisis” of war, climate change, inequality and technological risk demands urgent, coordinated action.
During a year of escalating global turmoil – from widening wars and economic hardship to the relentless advance of the climate crisis – the United Nations has held its ground, working to promote peace, drive sustainable development, and ease human suffering.
Greater political will is needed to change patriarchal norms in the face of the backlash against gender equality, an independent expert appointed by the UN Human Rights Council has said.
Surya Deva, Special Rapporteur on the right to development, participated in a major meeting at the UN in New York to review progress towards achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), many of which are off track as the 2030 deadline approaches.
Digital innovation and technology remain underfunded and underdeveloped across Africa, according to a report on Africa’s development which was discussed at the General Assembly on Monday.
“There will be another pandemic, and it will not be 100 years from now.”
Global life expectancy increased by an astonishing five years between 2000 and 2019. And then since the COVID-19 pandemic, it slid backwards by almost two. More than 110 million children have entered school since 2015 – but by 2023, 272 million children still had no access to the classroom.
