Today, most workers have not recovered their pre-pandemic labour incomes and the gender gap in hours worked has continued to grow. Roughly half the world’s population remains without access to social protection. World Day of Social Justice 2023 focuses on the recommendations of Our Common Agenda, the Secretary-General’s vision of responding to humanity’s most pressing challenges through cooperation. This year’s observance calls to strengthen the social contract that has been otherwise fractured by rising inequalities, conflicts and the weakening of institutions meant to protect workers’ rights.

COVID-19, the war in Ukraine and resulting food and energy crises, surging inflation, debt tightening, and the climate emergency battered the world economy in 2022. World output growth is projected to decelerate from 3% in 2022 to 1.9% in 2023, one of the lowest growth rates in recent decades, according to the UN World Economic Situation and Prospects 2023. The flagship report of DESA presents an uncertain economic outlook. Global growth is forecast to moderately pick up to 2.7% in 2024 as some of the headwinds will begin to subside, but stronger international cooperation is imperative.

An essential part of the work on development and the SDGs consists of ensuring public access to information and the protection of fundamental freedoms. The role of the United Nations has been to assist the various national information media, by supplying accurate information from which these media may draw both substance and inspiration for their work. World Development Information Day (24 October) aims to draw the attention of the world to development problems and the need to strengthen international cooperation to solve them.

The global health crisis doubled the wealth of the 10 richest men in the world while sending upwards of 120 million people into extreme poverty. This year’s UNRISD Flagship Report shows how inequalities and crises reinforce and compound each other, leading to extreme disparity, vulnerability and unsustainability. It argues that this is not the result of a broken system but one in which inequality and injustice are built in by design. The social contract has broken down to the great detriment of people and planet. Join us for the launch of the Report on 21 October in Geneva.

Learn about the key findings from the new Human Development Report 2021/22 "Uncertain Times, Unsettled Lives: Shaping our Future in a Transforming World" through this short animated explainer video.

UNOPS is implementing the South Sudan Safety Net Project on behalf of the government of South Sudan, using $40 million in funding from the World Bank.

One of the great lessons of our species is that we can accomplish a lot with very little if we work together. Development is about change; charting new paths forward into the unknown; and transforming our world, according to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Flux is normal. Throughout history, humans have struggled with plagues, war, and political upheaval. Yet, our present uncertain times are different in unprecedented ways. If we don’t feel that our lives are secure, it is because they aren’t. The UNDP’s latest Human Development Report indicates that we are navigating uncharted waters. But there is hope. The report suggests three ways to help navigate—and even thrive—in the new uncertainty complex.

Despite significant progress in much of Asia and the Pacific social protection policies still lag behind other areas of the world, according to a new ILO report.

We are living in uncertain times. The COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and the climate crisis threaten the world daily. So where do we go from here for a more hopeful future? The upcoming 2021/22 Human Development Report (HDR) seeks to address these questions. Set to be released on 8 September, the 2021/22 HDR examines how inequalities and uncertainty reinforce polarization and undermine our sense of control over our lives. But this report is also about opportunity: working towards shared goals and on human development is critical to creating a future in which we can all thrive.

Observed on 1 June every year, the Global Day of Parents provides an opportunity to appreciate all parents for their "selfless commitment to children and their lifelong sacrifice towards nurturing this relationship." Like no one else, parents and caregivers shape the experiences that build their children’s brains and set them on a path towards healthy development. Parenting is too big a job for parents and caregivers to do alone. They need support to give their children the best possible start in life.  On this global day, let’s appreciate and support all parents throughout the world!

Urbanization is one of the most important megatrends shaping our world and the life and wellbeing of families worldwide. Sustainable urbanization is related to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their targets, including eradicating poverty and reducing inequality. Under the theme, “Families and Urbanization”, this year’s International Day of Families (15 May) aims to raise awareness of the importance of sustainable, family-friendly urban policies.

Safety and security are at the base of the ‘hierarchy of needs’ pyramid, second in importance only to life’s absolute necessities—air, water, food and shelter. In the years leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic, people were on average living healthier, more prosperous and better lives than ever. Yet still a growing sense of unease had taken root and is flourishing. A new UNDP report, New Threats to Human Security in the Anthropocene, says six out of seven people all over the world—including in the wealthiest countries— were experiencing high levels of insecurity even before the pandemic.

The concept of solidarity has defined the work of the United Nations since the birth of the Organization. The creation of the United Nations drew the peoples and nations of the world together to promote peace, human rights and social and economic development. The Organization was founded on the basic premise of unity and harmony among its members, expressed in the concept of collective security that relies on the solidarity of its members to unite “to maintain international peace and security.” On this International Human Solidarity Day let us continue celebrating our unity in diversity.

We believe in the future. We believe that people and planet can thrive as one. We believe that lessons learned can guide generations to come. We believe that moving forward means leaving no one behind. We believe that sustainability is survival. And that equality will become universal. We know the challenges are extraordinary. But we can achieve the extraordinary. And we believe that working together is what makes the world strong. At UNDP, we believe in everything we do. Now we can do even better.

The question is formulated at the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF),  the core UN platform for follow-up and review of the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs). This next meeting of the HLPF (6-15 July) focuses on a sustainable and resilient recovery from COVID-19. The HLPF will review 9 of the 17 SDGs, where ministers and other participants will explore policies and international cooperation to control the pandemic and its impacts. To reach a better and more sustainable future for all by 2030, the world needs to be back on track in less than a decade.