Innovation at the heart of ECOSOC

The 2013 High-level Segment of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is taking place on 1-4 July in Geneva. The Secretary-General’s report emphasizes that science, technology, innovation and culture are critical to the achievement of the MDGs and a successful transition to sustainable development. A Thunderclap campaign running since April has helped youth bring their voices to the world’s leaders. Read more

The world is making big strides towards achieving the MDGs

Several important targets of the Millennium Development Goals have or will be met by the 2015 deadline, but progress in many areas is far from sufficient, according to this year’s Millennium Development Goals Report launched today by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

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Counting 9.6 billion humans on earth by 2050

The current world population of 7.2 billion is projected to increase by 1 billion over the next 12 years and reach 9.6 billion by 2050, according to a report launched by DESA’s Population Division in June. The report points out that growth will be mainly in developing countries, with more than half in Africa. Watch our interview with John Wilmoth, Director of the Population Division, who gives us some insights about the last figures available. Read more

Technical reports

Launch of the Millennium Development Goals Report 2013

At the occasion of the opening of ECOSOC, the Secretary-General will officially launch the Millennium Development Goals Report 2013 in Geneva on 1 July. In addition, launching events are planned in more than 20 cities worldwide on or around 1 July.

With the deadline for the MDGs on the horizon, this year’s report examines where the targets have been met and where redoubled efforts are needed urgently to accelerate the progress. It also reveals that our attention needs to focus on disparities across geographical areas and social groups, which often do not surface in the analysis at the global level. Read more

Thomas Stelzer, Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Coordination and Inter-Agency Affairs and Secretary of the Chief Executives Board (CEB), will leave his post on 30 June to assume his new position as Austrian Ambassador to Portugal.  

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