6 February 2026 - At a time when global cooperation and sustainable development are under pressure, UN DESA continues to deliver. The department brings countries together to find common solutions, build capacity on the ground, and deliver trusted data and analysis that inform decisions shaping economies, societies and the planet. Here are five things you need to know.
1. UN DESA upholds the development pillar of the United Nations
Firmly rooted in the UN Charter, UN DESA upholds the development pillar of the United Nations by supporting the work of two UN Charter Bodies, the UN General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). In this capacity, UN DESA manages a core part of the negotiations and deliberations taking place among 193 UN Member States to deliver positive change benefitting people and the planet.
2. UN DESA leads and supports the work of ECOSOC
UN DESA serves the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), which celebrates its 80th anniversary this year. As part of this work, UN DESA leads, coordinates and supports the work of some of the Council’s main commissions, forums and bodies. Look out for some of the upcoming sessions supported by UN DESA this winter and spring, including the Commission for Social Development (2-10 February), the UN Statistical Commission (3-6 March), the Commission on Population and Development (13-17 April), the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (20 April-1 May) and the UN Forum on Forests (11-15 May).
3. UN DESA brings countries together to solve the most pressing problems
Efforts to restore the health of our ocean, secure financing for development and make sure that people are at the center of development – these were all issues at the core of major conferences in 2025 spearheaded by UN DESA. Each conference attracted some 15,000 participants, who joined the third UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France, the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Sevilla, Spain, and the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha, Qatar. Thanks to the successful outcomes of these events, the international community now has blueprints that will guide global efforts towards a more sustainable and inclusive future.
As the home of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), UN DESA also brings countries together at the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development every year to assess SDG progress. On top of that, in 2026, UN DESA will also play a key role in advancing progress on water and sanitation for all at the UN Water Conference taking place in December this year.
4. UN DESA delivers data to help the global community make informed decisions
UN DESA is the source of accurate, verified, up-to-date data and analysis on sustainable development, the global economic situation and prospects, population trends and the Sustainable Development Goals. UN DESA’s analytical work, projections and policy advice help communities plan today for the societies of tomorrow. Through flagship publications delivering the latest economic forecasts, urbanization trends, Sustainable Development Goals data, global population trends, and social progress trends, UN DESA assists countries in navigating some of the challenges the world is facing today. Explore this wealth of information and data available on UN DESA’s website.
5. Builds countries’ capacities to advance sustainable development
Through its capacity development work, UN DESA supports UN Member States in translating global commitments into local action. The Department’s efforts in this area are tightly integrated into its analytical work and originate from decisions made during major conferences and intergovernmental processes. UN DESA also works closely with the Resident Coordinator (RC) system and Member States to determine the right delivery method to ensure meaningful and long-lasting change. Check out this website to explore UN DESA’s longer-term capacity development projects around the world.
To stay updated on UN DESA’s work towards sustainable development for all, follow and engage with us on social media:
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For more information: UN DESA’s Highlights Report 2025