While artificial intelligence, robotics and other new technologies are sparking what some call the Fourth Industrial Revolution, large parts of the world are yet to enjoy the benefits of the first three. Such basic necessities as clean water and electricity are still elusive for billions of people. But a new survey by UN DESA analyses how the latest technologies can benefit even the furthest left behind – through e-government.
International migration brings both opportunities and challenges to countries of origin, transit and destination. According to the latest estimates by UN DESA, the number of international migrants worldwide reached 258 million persons in 2017, an increase of almost 50 per cent since 2000.
Everything that happens, happens somewhere, but how do we know what is happening where? when? and why? The answers lie in geospatial information. That means information that pinpoints the location of geographic features, such as settlements, mountains or lakes, on the Earth and describes their relation to other features. It allows us to create a digital image of our world, in which all social, economic and environmental activity takes place.
What are safe spaces?
The theme of this year’s International Youth Day on 12 August is “Safe Spaces for Youth”. Celebrations on the day will highlight various types of safe spaces and their role in contributing to youth empowerment, inclusion and development.
The theme of this year’s International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is “Indigenous peoples’ migration and movement.” Despite the popular image of indigenous peoples as rural inhabitants, cities are now providing home for increasing numbers of indigenous populations. In some countries of Latin America, as much as 80 per cent of all indigenous peoples live in urban areas.
July saw more than 2,000 representatives of governments, businesses and civil society come together to assess progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) with a record of 125 Heads of State, Deputy Heads of State and Government, Ministers and Vice-ministers. The Forum gauged our current position on the way to 2030 and identified the areas where more work needs to be done.
| 1-3 August, New York | Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management, Eighth session |
|---|---|
| 9 August | International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples |
| 12 August | International Youth Day |
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