“We need sustainable statistics to support sustainable development”

For almost as long as the UN has existed, development data has been collected, generating a crucial asset for the international community. Behind this important effort is UN DESA’s Statistics Division, led by Stefan Schweinfest. In DESA News, he shares what it takes to measure an ever changing world and to prepare for development beyond 2015. Read more

Opening the door for people of all abilities

The global community took a giant step forward during the High-level Meeting on Disability and Development in September to break down barriers for the more than 1 billion persons living with some form of disability. With a historic outcome document adopted, this year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December, aims to kick-off an action-filled course towards an inclusive society, embracing all human beings. Read more

Securing a solid foundation for future development

In preparation for the sustainable development goals and the post-2015 development agenda, UN DESA is involved in many different initiatives moving the processes forward. Recent and upcoming publications released by the department and its partners, also play an important role in securing a solid point of departure for future development.  Read more

Technical reports

Pre-release of the World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) 2014

The first chapter on global economic outlook of the WESP 2014 will be launched on 18 December at 11 am in New York. A joint product of UN DESA, UNCTAD and the five United Nations regional commissions, this publication provides an overview of recent global economic performance and short-term prospects for the world economy and of some key global economic policy and development issues. One of its purposes is to serve as a point of reference for discussions on economic, social and related issues taking place in various United Nations entities during the year. Read more

Ms. Jan McAlpine, Director of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF), retired in November 2013. During her tenure as Director, she launched the innovative Facilitative Process, which provides enhanced capacity development for developing countries to mobilize forest financing, and developed a fundraising strategy which generated over $18 million by developing a bottom-up, technical and expert program of work for UNFF. Read more