Expert Voices

Urgent action needed to secure financing for our shared future

That the global community is seriously off track to achieve the global goals is nothing new. Neither is the fact that part of the reason lies in a lack of financing investments at the required scale. But what are the solutions? And what can we expect from the financing for development events happening at the UN this month? To find out, we spoke with UN DESA’s Mariangela Parra-Lancourt.

Why the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) matters

What is the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI), what does it measure and why is it important for countries in special situations? Ahead of the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4) this coming May, Ambassador Walton Webson, Permanent Representative of Antigua and Barbuda to the United Nations, explains.

What is the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) and what does it measure?

“Data and statistics inform every decision we make”

Data plays a key role in global efforts to improve people’s lives on a healthy planet. UN DESA’s Statistics Division is leading efforts, working together with statisticians and data experts from across the world. Ahead of the annual UN Statistical Commission this month, UN DESA’s Linda Hooper tells us more about this important work.

Can you give our readers some insights into how data plays a role in global efforts to improve our world?

Small islands prepare for their big moment in 2024

You may be aware that Small Island Developing States (SIDS) contribute less than 1 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions but face the worst effects of climate change. But have you heard that the UN will dedicate an entire conference in 2024 to help SIDS develop a path forward for their sustainable development? We asked UN DESA’s Sai Navoti to tell us more.

United to achieve the SDGs for, with, and by persons with disabilities

The five dimensions of sustainable development – People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnerships – are all essential to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Ahead of this year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we discussed with UN DESA’s Guozhong Zhang, how including persons with disabilities in all these dimensions can create a more equal world for everyone.

Artificial Intelligence - a blessing or a curse for sustainable development?

In recent years, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has grown rapidly, affecting many industries and areas of human life. But should we view AI as a blessing or curse? How about its impact on social development and the global goals? We spoke with Professor Daron Acemoglu of the Department of Economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who shared his take.

A blessing or a curse? How do we ensure that AI is used for the greater good for people and planet?

With concerted, ambitious action, we can reduce poverty drastically by 2030

Around the world, some 670 million people live in extreme poverty. Unless progress picks up pace, the international community is nowhere near ending this plight before 2030. Ahead of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on 17 October, UN DESA’s Hantamalala Rafalimanana describes the dire situation and what it takes to end poverty once and for all.

Can you provide information on the current state of poverty worldwide?

Time to scale up creative solutions to bridge the SDG funding gap

Financing to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is off track. The annual funding gap has widened and is currently estimated at over $4 trillion. How can we close this gap and what role will the High-level Dialogue on Financing for Development on 20 September play to secure financing for the goals? We spoke with UN DESA’s Shari Spiegel who explains.

Seeking synergies: How can action on climate and the SDGs work together?

How can the world effectively address the climate emergency and the challenges in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) simultaneously, in order to maximize their impact? We spoke with Luis Gomez Echeverri, co-lead of the Expert Group on Climate and SDG Synergies convened by UN DESA and UNFCCC secretariat in May 2023, to shed light on this question.

How does climate action relate to the SDGs? 

We need to do better for 1.3 billion people around the world

“In almost all aspects, persons with disabilities are in a worse situation than those without disabilities,“ said UN DESA’s Masumi Ono. “We need to be doing better,” she stressed as we spoke about the upcoming Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities taking place on 13-15 June 2023. 

1. What can you tell us about the situation for persons with disabilities around the world?

“The situation is unacceptable for the 1.3 billion people in the world. We need to be doing better.