World economy is recovering, but is it sustainable?

The state of the global economy is slowly beginning to improve with the support of massive fiscal stimuli, but the recovery is uneven across regions and conditions for sustained growth remain fragile. Uncertainties and risks still exist, as well as policy challenges, which need to be addressed. Read more

Striving for a self-determined development

More than 370 million indigenous people live on this planet. Among them, each group has its own distinct culture and identity, which are formed and developed on the land where they have been living and struggling through generations. Read more

Stevie Wonder designated United Nations Messenger of Peace

Singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder is joining the prestigious roster of United Nations Messengers of Peace to advocate for the Organization’s work, with the artist – blind since birth – championing people with disabilities. “I recognize that he has consistently used his voice and special relationship with the public to create a better and more inclusive world, to defend civil and human rights and to improve the lives of those less fortunate. Stevie Wonder is a true inspiration to young people all over the world about what can be achieved despite any physical limitations,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a news conference on 3 December 2009. Read more

Launch of the World Economic Situation and Prospects 2010

The report, to be released worldwide in the third week of January, outlines that the world economic landscape has begun to show signs of improvement. Since the second quarter of 2009, global equity markets have rebounded, risk premiums on lending have fallen and international trade and global industrial production have noticeably recovered. An increasing number of countries are starting to register positive quarterly growth of gross domestic product (GDP). Read more

Ms. Carolyn Hannan Ms. Carolyn Hannan, retired on 31 December as Director of DESA’s Division for the Advancement of Women, a position she held with distinction since December 2001. Her retirement marks many years of dedicated service to the goal of gender equality and development, which began long before she joined the United Nations, both in her home country of Sweden, and in Africa, where she lived and worked for more than 10 years. Read more