Two indigenous midwives in Ecuador performing ancestral practices on a woman lying horizontally.
Indigenous Peoples

Honouring Indigenous Midwives

For generations, Indigenous midwives have nurtured life, protected knowledge, and strengthened communities through holistic traditions rooted in culture, spirituality, and a deep connection to their lands. This International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples (9 August), we honour their invaluable contributions to families, celebrate Indigenous knowledge systems, and explore why protecting Indigenous-led care is essential for the well-being of present and future generations. Join our online event on 10 August at 8:30 a.m. EDT (New York time)!

Traditional midwives in Taisha, Ecuador, share ancestral knowledge and medical science through a Pan American Health Organization initiative.
Photo:Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)
A group of children, many wearing headscarves, sit on the ground holding blue school supplies and bags.

‘Sudan is losing another generation’ to war, Mohammed warns

7 August 2026 — More than 1,000 days of war in Sudan have left millions of children out of school, displaced or exposed to grave violations, the UN Deputy Secretary-General said on Friday, calling...

A vibrant peacock stands in a garden at Ariana Park.

Peacock party takes pride of place in nod to decades of turbulent history

7 August 2026 — In a new twist on panda diplomacy, UN Geneva welcomed five young peacocks to the Palace of Nations on Friday, a gift of India that preserves a tradition of keeping the stately...

Two workers in green uniforms and hats are manually harvesting sugarcane in a large plantation under a blue sky.

Food prices edged up in July amid heatwaves and energy price hikes

7 August 2026 — The cost of key foods edged up last month as searing heatwaves and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty impacted energy prices around the world.

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UN Sustainable Development Goals

17 Goals to transform our world

The Sustainable Development Goals are a call for action by all countries — poor, rich and middle-income — to promote prosperity while protecting the planet.

hands holding megaphone and speech bubble

ActNow Campaign

The Goals can improve life for all of us. Cleaner air. Safer cities. Equality. Better jobs. These issues matter to everyone. But progress is too slow. We have to act, urgently, to accelerate changes that add up to better lives on a healthier planet. Find new inspiring actions on the app and at un.org/actnow.

Act Now for a Peaceful World

Today, half the world is under 30, and this generation is a powerful force for peace. The UN "Hear Us. Act Now for a Peaceful World" campaign, launched on the International Day of Peace, aims to include, invest in, and partner with young people to build lasting peace. 

Thomas the Tank engine

Student Resources on the SDGs

Learn more about the Sustainable Development Goals! On our student resources page you will find plenty of materials for young people and adults alike. Share with your family and friends to help achieve a better world for all.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

Goal of the month

 

Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities

Reduce inequality within and among countries

 

More about the UN Sustainable Development Goals

More from the
United Nations

Featured stories from across the United Nations and our world-wide family of agencies, funds, and programmes.

A view of mangrove forests UNEP, Natural Resources and the Environment

From decline to recovery: The global return of mangrove forests

Once considered one of the world’s fastest-disappearing ecosystems, mangrove forests are showing remarkable signs of recovery. A recent global study using satellite imagery from the 1980s to 2023 found that global mangrove losses have slowed sharply, while natural regeneration and expansion are increasingly offsetting past declines. These coastal forests protect shorelines, store carbon, support fisheries and provide habitat for more than 1,500 species. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and partners are helping drive this recovery through science-based, community-led restoration efforts in countries including Kenya, Costa Rica, Benin and across the South China Sea region, combining conservation, sustainable livelihoods and innovative financing.

A black-and-white photo taken from a low angle, showing Lebanese athlete Aziza Sbaity. OHCHR, Human Rights

Aziza Sbaity’s journey of identity, inclusion and speed

Born in Liberia to a Liberian mother and Lebanese father, Aziza Sbaity grew up embracing both cultures before civil unrest forced her family to relocate to Lebanon. Adapting to a less diverse environment, she drew strength from her family and found belonging through sport. Initially passionate about basketball, her speed led her to athletics, where she discovered confidence, purpose and acceptance. Now Lebanon’s fastest woman and a national record holder, Sbaity uses her platform to champion inclusion and equality. Recognized in the BBC 100 Women list in 2023, she inspires young people through advocacy and is launching an athletics academy to expand opportunities for all children, including those with disabilities.

FAO, Agriculture and Food

The return of Malawi’s forgotten crops

At a seed fair in southern Malawi, farmers showcased biscuits, flours and other products made from sorghum and cowpea, two nutritious, drought-resistant crops once widely grown but sidelined as maize came to dominate agriculture. The event formed part of an FAO-led initiative under the AWSAMe initiative to revive these "opportunity crops" and strengthen resilience to water scarcity. Working with Malawi's Ministry of Agriculture, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) trained researchers, tested drought-tolerant varieties and involved farmers in selecting preferred crops. Cooking demonstrations and business training highlighted new income opportunities, helping communities improve nutrition, adapt to climate change and restore agricultural biodiversity.

A young girl holding a seedling being transplanted.
Science and Technology, SDGs, UNESCO

Science for sustainable development

UNESCO is expanding scientific collaboration through global partnerships, remote laboratory access, STEM training, and crisis support to make research more inclusive and impactful worldwide.

A couple of technicians looking at digital screens.
Health, Science and Technology, World Bank

Healthcare for the future

Technology can extend specialist care to underserved communities while strengthening health systems and supporting economic opportunities through workforce and infrastructure investments.

A man sitted with folded hands.
Slavery and Human Trafficking, Migrants, IOM

Stolen freedom, restored hope

After surviving months of trafficking in a Myanmar scam compound, Jean returned to Rwanda determined to rebuild his life and warn others about trafficking risks.

A child at wellness clinic.
Humanitarian Aid, SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being, WFP

Afghanistan’s malnutrition crisis

Funding cuts and worsening humanitarian conditions are leaving millions of Afghan children and mothers without the nutrition and healthcare they urgently need.

What we do

Due to the powers vested in its Charter and its unique international character, the United Nations can take action on the issues confronting humanity in the 21st century, including:

A UNIFIL peacekeeper from Spain on a regular patrol in the vicinity of Al Wazzani, south-eastern Lebanon as the sun sets in the horizon. Since 1948, more than a million women and men have served as UN peacekeepers.

Maintain International Peace and Security

The United Nations came into being in 1945, following the devastation of the Second World War, with one central mission: the maintenance of international peace and security. The UN does this by working to prevent conflict; helping parties in conflict make peace; peacekeeping; and creating the conditions to allow peace to hold and flourish. These activities often overlap and should reinforce one another, to be effective. The UN Security Council has the primary responsibility for international peace and security. The General Assembly and the Secretary-General play major, important, and complementary roles, along with other UN offices and bodies.

Students at Butkhak High School in Kabul, Afghanistan, cheer in unison on the last day of Global Action Week, an international campaign advocating free, quality education for all.

Protect Human Rights

The term “human rights” was mentioned seven times in the UN's founding Charter, making the promotion and protection of human rights a key purpose and guiding principle of the Organization.  In 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights brought human rights into the realm of international law.  Since then, the Organization has diligently protected human rights through legal instruments and on-the-ground activities.

A child has a meal at a food distribution centre in the Rwanda camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs), near Tawila, North Darfur. More than 8,000 women and children living in the camp benefit from nutrition programmes run by the World Food Programme

Deliver Humanitarian Aid

One of the purposes of the United Nations, as stated in its Charter, is "to achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character."  The UN first did this in the aftermath of the Second World War on the devastated continent of Europe, which it helped to rebuild.  The Organization is now relied upon by the international community to coordinate humanitarian relief operations due to natural and man-made disasters in areas beyond the relief capacity of national authorities alone.

Grace, a farmer from Kipilat village, and a leading member of the forest community in Ainabkoi, Kenya, planting a tree in 2012.

Promote Sustainable Development

From the start in 1945, one of the main priorities of the United Nations was to “achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion.”  Improving people’s well-being continues to be one of the main focuses of the UN. The global understanding of development has changed over the years, and countries now have agreed that sustainable development offers the best path forward for improving the lives of people everywhere.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) delivers its order on the request for the indication of provisional measures filed by Nicaragua on 11 October 2013 in the case concerning Construction of a Road in Costa Rica along the San Juan River.

Uphold International Law

The UN Charter, in its Preamble, set an objective: "to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained."  Ever since, the development of, and respect for international law has been a key part of the work of the Organization.  This work is carried out in many ways - by courts, tribunals, multilateral treaties - and by the Security Council, which can approve peacekeeping missions, impose sanctions, or authorize the use of force when there is a threat to international peace and security, if it deems this necessary.  These powers are given to it by the UN Charter, which is considered an international treaty.  As such, it is an instrument of international law, and UN Member States are bound by it.  The UN Charter codifies the major principles of international relations, from sovereign equality of States to the prohibition of the use of force in international relations.

Structure of the
United Nations

The main parts of the UN structure are the General Assembly, the
Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, the International Court of Justice, and the UN Secretariat. All were established in 1945 when the UN was founded.

General Assembly

The General Assembly is the main deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the UN. All 193 Member States of the UN are represented in the General Assembly, making it the only UN body with universal representation.

Security Council

The Security Council has primary responsibility, under the UN Charter, for the maintenance of international peace and security. It has 15 Members (5 permanent and 10 non-permanent members). Each Member has one vote. Under the Charter, all Member States are obligated to comply with Council decisions.

Economic and Social Council

The Economic and Social Council is the principal body for coordination, policy review, policy dialogue and recommendations on economic, social and environmental issues, as well as implementation of internationally agreed development goals.

Trusteeship Council

The Trusteeship Council was established in 1945 by the UN Charter, under Chapter XIII, to provide international supervision for 11 Trust Territories that had been placed under the administration of seven Member States, and ensure that adequate steps were taken to prepare the Territories for self-government and independence.

International Court of Justice

The International Court of Justice is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. Its seat is at the Peace Palace in the Hague (Netherlands). It is the only one of the six principal organs of the United Nations not located in New York (United States of America).

Secretariat

The Secretariat comprises the Secretary-General and tens of thousands of international UN staff members who carry out the day-to-day work of the UN as mandated by the General Assembly and the Organization's other principal organs.

More about the structure of the United Nations

Learn more

Podium of the General Assembly Hall seen from below with the gold wall and the golden UN logo behind

Selecting the next Secretary-General

The United Nations process to appoint the next Secretary‑General continues with interactive dialogues guided by the principles of transparency and inclusivity. Watch the dialogues with the candidates: Michelle Bachelet Jeria (21 April), Rafael Mariano Grossi (21 April), Rebeca Grynspan Mayufis (22 April), Macky Sall (22 April), María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés (15 June) and Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett (18 June).

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A group of people carrying their few belongings, walking in front of buildings in ruins, at sunset.

The Spotlight series

This series shines a light on communities facing conflict, displacement, public health emergencies and other humanitarian challenges around the world. Drawing on reporting from across the UN system, it amplifies voices from countries including Haiti, Gaza, DR Congo, Yemen, Afghanistan and Myanmar, to foster understanding, encourage engagement, and help mobilize support, assistance, and protection for the most vulnerable people.

Climate Change

Climate Change is one of the defining issues of our time and we are at a pivotal moment. From shifting weather patterns that threaten food production, to rising sea levels that increase the risk of catastrophic flooding, the impacts of climate change are global in scope and unprecedented in scale. Taking decisive action today will make adapting to these impacts in the future more effective and less costly.

General Assembly hall with the Secretary-General at the podium

The Essential UN

The United Nations is the only place on Earth where all the world's nations come together to discuss common problems and find shared solutions that benefit all of humanity. Learn about the main areas of the UN’s activities; how it makes a difference to the world’s people; and how every citizen can get involved and make a contribution. 

Did you know?

As the world’s only truly universal global organization, the United Nations has become the foremost forum to address issues that transcend national boundaries and cannot be resolved by any one country acting alone.

Watch and Listen

Video and audio from across the United Nations and our world-wide family of agencies, funds, and programmes.

Do young people still want marriage and families?

Young adults around the world continue to value partnership and parenthood, but financial insecurity, housing challenges, and unstable employment often prevent them from achieving these aspirations.

Drawing on responses from more than 108,000 young adults across 73 countries, the report calls for investments in education, jobs, housing, reproductive health, and social protection to help people build the families and futures they want.

A nation's soundtrack

UNESCO is preserving Somalia’s Radio Mogadishu archive, safeguarding decades of the nation’s history, music, and voices for future generations through digital preservation.

What are agrifood systems?

Agrifood systems sustain life by connecting food production, distribution, and resources, while resilient systems help protect food supplies amid climate change and global challenges.

UN Podcasts

Arsenio utilizing a ship simulator whilst a woman and two men look on

Open the strait (AAN S13-E8)

Oil price surges have put international shipping in the spotlight in recent months. But what about the people behind the headlines? What happens to them when the news cycle moves on?

With up to 90 percent of all goods globally transported by sea, the United Nations International Maritime Organization (IMO) works to help commercial shipping and international trade ride the waves of war, piracy and geopolitics.

Growing up near the Panama Canal, Arsenio Dominguez was always fascinated by mighty cargo ships sailing through on their way to distant shores. Now Secretary-General of the IMO, his role is to defend seafarers and give shipping the recognition it deserves.

“Whenever you affect shipping, everybody else gets affected, even if you're not part of the conflict. This is not good for anyone. This is not good for the global population, for the global economy, for politics. We need to protect shipping more.”

In this episode, Arsenio Dominguez reflects on years of back-to-back challenges for international shipping, on efforts to decarbonize, and shares why the power of positive thinking and the encouragement of his mother have always been his guiding lights.

Photo: ©IMO

Latest Audio from UN News

The United Nations in Pictures

Images from across the United Nations and our world-wide family of agencies, funds, and programmes.

partially submerged village
Photo:UNHCR/Santi Palacios

The humanitarian risks of El Niño

El Niño is intensifying humanitarian needs across Southern and Eastern Africa, where millions of people are already struggling with conflict, displacement, poverty and the impacts of climate change. Severe drought, flooding and extreme weather are disrupting livelihoods, reducing crop yields, worsening food insecurity and increasing the risk of disease outbreaks. Women, children and other vulnerable groups face the greatest impacts as access to water, healthcare and essential services becomes more limited. Early, coordinated humanitarian action and sustained investment in resilience are essential to help communities prepare for, withstand and recover from increasingly frequent climate shocks.

a herder and his cattle
Photo:UNDP Kenya

A world sustained by rangelands

Rangelands cover more than half of the Earth's land surface and are essential to food security, biodiversity, climate resilience and the livelihoods of billions of people, including pastoralists and Indigenous communities. Yet these vast ecosystems remain undervalued and increasingly threatened by climate change, land degradation and unsustainable land use. Protecting and restoring rangelands is critical not only for conserving wildlife and storing carbon, but also for sustaining cultures, strengthening rural economies and building resilient landscapes that support both people and nature for generations to come.

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