Developing economies bear the brunt of Middle East conflict as growth slows and inflation rises, UN warns
19 May 2026 - The crisis in the Middle East has delivered yet another shock to the global economy, slowing growth, reigniting inflationary pressures and heightening uncertainty, according to the World Economic Situation and Prospects as of mid-2026 report.
Financing for Sustainable Development Report 2026 – a powerful compass to keep the momentum from Sevilla
18 May 2026 - The Sevilla Commitment, adopted at last year's Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4), provided us with a roadmap for overcoming these financing challenges. But for FFD4 to have a lasting impact and deliver on its promise, we have to see tangible progress in implementation.
International Day of Families 2026: Tackling inequalities to support child well-being
15 May 2026 - On 15 May 2026, the United Nations will observe the International Day of Families under the theme “Families, Inequalities and Child Well-being.” The observance highlights how widening inequalities shape family life and affect children’s development worldwide.
The impact of the Middle East conflict on developing economies
14 May 2026 - Despite the ceasefire agreed on 8 April, the Middle East conflict that began on 28 February 2026 has already delivered the largest energy supply shock on record.
UN Advisory Board engages global audience on Africa’s future amid global fragmentation
13 May 2026 - Against a backdrop of rising geopolitical tensions and global economic fragmentation, members of the United Nations High-level Advisory Board on Economic and Social Affairs (HLAB) brought their insights to a global audience during a Global Policy Dialogue held in Addis Ababa on 8 May 2026.
Forests are running out of time. How can we save them?
12 May 2026 - The new Global Forest Goals Report 2026, launching this month, will reveal just how much ground we've lost and what it will take to turn the tide before 2030. We spoke with UN DESA’s expert Shyam Paudel about the report and what we can do to reverse course.
Latest Global Forest Goals Report 2026 reveals progress, but not at scale needed to achieve Sustainable Development Goals by 2030
11 May 2026 - With less than five years remaining to 2030—and forests, a key driver of climate resilience, livelihoods and food security, under threat— the United Nations today launched The Global Forest Goals Report 2026, calling for forests to remain at the centre of policy and investment decisions.
GDP up, satisfaction down: Why we need a new way to measure progress
8 May 2026 - For decades, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has been used as a benchmark of society’s progress. Yet, as the GDP figures keep ticking up, so too does a profound disenchantment with the political and economic systems tasked with serving the public.
United Nations proposes new global dashboard to measure progress beyond GDP
7 May 2026 - The UN Secretary-General’s independent High-Level Expert Group on Beyond GDP today released a report proposing the first global blueprint for how countries can assess progress that complements Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
7 things you should know about innovating for sustainable development
6 May 2026 - This month, young innovators, scientists, world-leading experts and entrepreneurs are coming together at the annual STI Forum with one purpose – to leverage their knowledge and solutions to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Delivering on the promise of Sevilla
4 May 2026 - A new report, the Financing for Sustainable Development Report 2026, by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Financing for Development, identifies the drivers of the global financing squeeze and highlights recommendations to advance implementation of the Sevilla Commitment in five areas.
UN80 Initiative: Real progress made on tackling complex issues facing the UN system
29 April 2026 - A new guide to the UN80 Initiative, released on Wednesday, provides an overview of the progress being made so far on this ambitious, wide-ranging reform effort.
AI in advertising risks fuelling misinformation crisis, UN warns
29 April 2026 - In a new brief titled Strengthening Information Integrity: Advertising, Artificial Intelligence and the Global Information Crisis, the Department of Global Communications and the Conscious Advertising Network caution that unchecked AI adoption in advertising is accelerating risks across the whole digital information ecosystem.
Renewables rising, Part 2: Seeking stability amid volatile fossil fuel markets
27 April 2026 - As global energy markets remain volatile and the price of oil high due to instability and conflict in the Middle East, more countries are looking at investing in renewables to shield their economies from the shocks caused by fossil fuel reliance, rein in import bills – and meet key climate action targets.
A race for rights: How sport is helping protect girls in Uganda
25 April 2026 - On a red running track in eastern Uganda, coach Zuena Cheptoek is doing more than training runners. For many girls in the Sebei subregion, she is also a confidante, a mentor and first line of protection against female genital mutilation, child marriage and abuse.