Features

Reclaiming the earth

A renewed commitment to sustainable agriculture and rural development is essential to relieve the world from hunger and poverty. Fourteen years ago, the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) affirmed the urgency of advancing sustainable agriculture and rural development. The World Food Summit of 1996 set the goal of halving the number of undernourished people in the world by 2015. Hunger was a serious concern then and it remains one today.

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A society for all: utopia or reality?

The 21st century ushered in an era of rapid social change. Advancements in science and technology enhanced not only production but also our way of life. Communications became faster, in real time, which strengthened trade that opened new opportunities for economic growth and development. These opportunities, however, did not extend to all groups of society. We are experiencing now a time of great prosperity, but also a time of immense poverty and hardship.

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Group of 77 is critical to overcome global crisis

At the handover ceremony of the chairmanship of the Group of 77 and China on 23 January, Mr. Sha Zukang, Under Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs states that “DESA is directly involved in supporting the Secretary-General in addressing the challenge of climate change” and that the financial crisis is on top of DESA’s agenda. “The full and active participation and collaboration of the G77 and China is vital to forming meaningful outcomes on global challenges like these”, says Mr. Sha.

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Publications and websites

Report of the Sixth United Nations Public Service Day and Awards Ceremony Day

The United Nations Public Service Awards Programme (UNPSA) is the most prestigious international recognition of excellence in public service. It rewards the creative achievements and contributions of public service institutions to development in countries around the world. Through an annual competition, the UN Public Service Awards Programme promotes the role, professionalism and visibility of public service.

Achieving Sustainable Development and Promoting Development Cooperation

The material gathered in this publication provides a comprehensive view of the 2008 High-level Segment. It brings together the proceedings - statements, issues papers, summaries of roundtables and other discussions - of the ECOSOC session as well as the preparatory meetings of the DCF and the outcome of the 2008 NGO Forum. This publication serves as a resource and a vehicle to review the work of the Council in fulfilling its mandate to monitor and follow up on the implementation of internationally agreed development goals, including the MDGs as well as the new functions of the Council.

Re-designed United Nations Development Account Website

The Development Account is an integral part of the technical cooperation activities of the economic and social entities of the United Nations. Projects aim at capacity-building through sub-regional, regional and interregional economic and technical cooperation among developing countries. To date, 138 projects have been approved by the General Assembly out of regular budget funds for a total amount of USD 91 million.

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Comings and goings

Comings

Ms. Haiyan Qian has been appointed by the Secretary-General as Director of DESA’s Division for Public Administration & Development Management (DPADM), effective 1 February 2009. Ms. Qian has been engaged in the last 28 years in issues related to public policy and governance. Since joining the Department, Ms. Qian has served as Chief of DPADM’s Knowledge Management Branch and Chief Manager of the United Nations Public Administration Network.

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