Latest news with #UNDESA
Al Etihad
3 days ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
UAE reaffirms its support for global efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goals
13 July 2025 14:41 DUBAI / NEW YORK (WAM)The United Arab Emirates delegation will participate in the upcoming 2025 United Nations High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development, organised by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) at UN Headquarters in New delegation will showcase the UAE's comprehensive development model, reaffirming its commitment to accelerate progress toward the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through multinational UAE delegation will focus on five priority goals:Goal 3 – ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all agesGoal 5 – achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girlsGoal 8 – promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, productive employment, and decent opportunities for allGoal 14 – conserving and sustainably using oceans, seas, and marine resourcesGoal 17 – strengthening global partnerships for sustainable developmentThe UAE delegation includes members from the UAE's National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Investment, The Government Experience Exchange Programme, Dubai Chamber of Commerce, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, and Noor Dubai Foundation under the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, in coordination with the UAE's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New Nasser Lootah, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Knowledge Exchange and Chair of the National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals, reaffirmed that UAE's participation reflects its international commitment to advancing the 2030 SDGs in innovation, technology, and smart governance. He emphasised the importance of expanding global partnerships in knowledge and development the sidelines of HLPF, the UAE delegation will organise a focused global retreat to discuss current challenges and explore future opportunities, alongside a dedicated exhibition showcasing the UAE's progress and achievements in accelerating the implementation of the SDGs both locally and globally. In addition, the delegation will highlight initiatives in clean energy, digital transformation, education, and part of the preparations for the UAE's participation, the National Committee on the SDGs held an extensive meeting to assess the readiness of the delegation, and review progress on the implementation of the SDGs. The meeting explored opportunities to expand international cooperation, and sign new agreements during the forum. Held under the theme - 'Reinforcing sustainable, inclusive, and evidence-based solutions to deliver the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, leaving no one behind' - the 2025 forum will run from July 14 -23, 2025 with a total of 37 countries presenting their voluntary national reviews on the progress made toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals to date.
Zawya
7 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Zambia: Livingstone hosts drive for data-powered social protection systems
Policymakers from across Africa and Asia and the Pacific have gathered in Zambia this week to explore how data, financing and delivery models can be strengthened to make social protection systems more inclusive and resilient. The push comes as governments face growing pressure to respond to overlapping shocks, from food price spikes to tightening public budgets. Globally, nearly 2 billion people, about 47.6 per cent of the population, still lack access to any form of social protection. In Africa, the coverage is even lower, with only 19 per cent of people receiving at least one benefit. And in Zambia, where about half the population lives in multidimensional poverty, the stakes are especially high. The three-day interregional workshop, held in Livingstone from 8 to 10 July, is co-hosted by the Government of Zambia, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), and the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). 'The world is not only dealing with the ongoing effects of the food, fuel, and finance crises but also facing an increasingly complex web of challenges,' said Angela Kawandami, Permanent Secretary at Zambia's Ministry of Community Development and Social Services. 'This meeting is an opportunity to reflect, to learn from each other, and to forge new partnerships.' The workshop is part of a joint initiative (2024–2027) designed to help six countries - Zambia, Senegal, Tanzania, Namibia, Cambodia and the Maldives - build more responsive and inclusive social protection systems. The project responds to growing pressure on governments to deliver better outcomes amid limited fiscal space, widening inequalities and persistent data gaps. It aims to equip policymakers with evidence-based tools, training, and peer-learning platforms to improve policy targeting and adapt to fast-evolving challenges. Opening sessions have focused on digital platforms and analytics tools that can improve targeting and delivery of services. These include the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), OpenIMIS digital registries, and simulation models for adaptive financing. 'Universal social protection includes policies that bridge human capital formation, financial, and information gaps,' said Amson Sibanda, Chief of UNDESA's National Strategies and Capacity Building Branch. But for these systems to be effective, Mr Sibanda said 'they need to be grounded in solid data and delivered at scale.' One of the new tools introduced is ECA's prototype Multidimensional Poverty Dashboard. The platform links poverty statistics at the subnational level with real-time crisis indicators such as migration patterns, population shifts, and peace and security data, and is being designed to eventually interface with local-level social protection programmes. 'What we're building is a tool that goes beyond poverty averages. It connects multidimensional poverty data with real-time information on crises, from migration flows to conflict and climate shocks, and links that with what's actually happening on the ground in terms of social spending and local programmes,' said Christian Oldiges, Chief of the Social Policy Section at ECA. 'That level of integration is critical if we want social protection systems that are responsive, not just reactive,' Mr Oldiges emphasized. As discussions continue, a common thread is emerging. Countries are looking to move beyond short-term safety nets toward long-term systems that can withstand shocks and expand opportunity. In Zambia, efforts are underway to strengthen registries, improve coordination, and embed social protection within broader national development strategies. Similar challenges, from fragmented data to financing gaps, were echoed by other participating countries, including Namibia, Senegal, and Cambodia. The workshop also feeds into preparations for the Second World Summit for Social Development, to be held in Doha this November. That global meeting will take forward the newly adopted Pact for the Future, which calls for stronger, more inclusive protection systems anchored in rights and resilience. The Livingstone workshop is a valuable platform for countries to share experiences, sharpen policy tools and forge the partnerships required to deliver meaningful social protection outcomes.
The Sun
22-06-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Fadillah arrives in Samarkand for UN Public Service Forum
SAMARKAND: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof arrived today at the Samarkand High-Speed Train Station in Uzbekistan, ahead of his participation in the United Nations Public Service Forum 2025, scheduled for Monday. Fadillah, who also serves as Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, was received upon arrival by Uzbekistan's Deputy Minister of Energy, Umid Mamadaminov, and Deputy Governor of the Samarkand Region, Rustam Kobilov. He is scheduled to deliver a keynote address at the forum to share Malaysia's experience in transforming its public service delivery system. Hosted by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) and the Government of Uzbekistan, the forum will take place from June 23 to 25. The forum emphasises the pressing need to accelerate progress in public administration and service delivery to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Sun
22-06-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
DPM Fadillah arrives in Samarkand for UN Public Service Forum
SAMARKAND: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof arrived today at the Samarkand High-Speed Train Station in Uzbekistan, ahead of his participation in the United Nations Public Service Forum 2025, scheduled for Monday. Fadillah, who also serves as Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, was received upon arrival by Uzbekistan's Deputy Minister of Energy, Umid Mamadaminov, and Deputy Governor of the Samarkand Region, Rustam Kobilov. He is scheduled to deliver a keynote address at the forum to share Malaysia's experience in transforming its public service delivery system. Hosted by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) and the Government of Uzbekistan, the forum will take place from June 23 to 25. The forum emphasises the pressing need to accelerate progress in public administration and service delivery to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Economic Times
16-05-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
UN cuts India's 2025 growth outlook to 6.3% from 6.6%
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel New Delhi: The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) has downgraded India's growth forecast for 2025 to 6.3%, from 6.6% projected earlier, attributing it to trade tensions and policy the downgrade, India will remain one of the world's fastest-growing large economies, supported by strong domestic consumption and government spending, according to UNDESA's 'World Economic Situation and Prospects 2025 mid-year update'. "Resilient private consumption and strong public investment, alongside robust services exports, will support economic growth," it ahead to 2026, UNDESA forecast India's gross domestic product (GDP) growth to recover a tad to 6.4%. Optimism in financial markets, solid gains in stock indices, pick up in manufacturing activity, and increase in exports show that "India's economy is not only holding firm but also making headway in an uncertain global environment", the government said on sector's share in India's economic growth remained steady in the last decade, moving to 17.3% in FY24 from 17.2% in FY14. "This steady growth highlights the sector's increasing role in India's economic landscape," the government April 2, the US imposed a reciprocal tariff of 26% on imports from India. Key sectors such as pharmaceuticals, electronics, semiconductors, and energy were exempted from the duty. President Donald Trump later announced a 90-day pause on the tariff implementation until July 9, although a baseline tariff of 10% remains in the exemptions may soften the economic impact on India, the report noted that these may not be India's exports increased to $824.9 billion in FY25, an increase of 6.01% from $778.1 billion in FY24."Exports, especially in strategic areas like defence production, are expanding steadily," said the government on exports surged to ₹23,622 crore in FY25 from ₹686 crore in FY14. "The tariff shock risks hitting vulnerable developing countries hard, slowing growth, slashing export revenues, and compounding debt challenges, especially as these economies are already struggling to make the investments needed for long-term, sustainable development," said Li Junhua, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social growth in the US will decelerate to 1.6% in 2025 from 2.8% in 2024- below the previous forecast of 1.9%--as higher tariffs and policy uncertainty are expected to dampen private investment and consumption, as per the growth is also expected to slow to 4.6% from an earlier estimate of 4.8%, due to weaker consumer sentiment, disruptions in export-focused manufacturing and ongoing issues in the property sector, it GDP growth is anticipated to fall to 2.4% in 2025 from 2.8%."Slower global growth, elevated inflationary pressures and weakening global trade including a projected halving of trade growth jeopardise progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals," said UNDESA.
