World Statistics Pocketbook 2011
The World Statistics Pocketbook 2011 is the thirty-first in a series of annual compilations of key statistical indicators prepared by DESA’s Statistics Division. Over 50 indicators have been collected from more than 20 international statistical sources and are presented in one-page profiles for 216 countries or areas of the world.
This issue covers various years from 2000 to 2011. For the economic indicators, in general, three years – 2000, 2005 and 2010 – are shown; for the indicators in the social and environmental categories, data for one year are presented. The topics covered include: agriculture, balance of payments, education, energy, environment, food, gender, health, industrial production, information and communication, international finance, international tourism, international trade, labour, migration, national accounts, population and prices.
Monthly Bulletin of Statistics and MBS Online
The Monthly Bulletin of Statistics presents current economic and social statistics for more than 200 countries and territories of the world. It contains over 50 tables of monthly and/or bimonthly, quarterly and annual data on a variety of subjects illustrating important economic trends and developments, including population, prices, employment and earnings, energy, manufacturing, transport, construction, international merchandise trade and finance.
Vol. LXVI – No. 6, June 2012
In addition to regular monthly tables, this issue includes the following quarterly and bi-monthly tables:
8. Retail price indices relating to living expenditures of United Nations officials
12a. Earnings in non-agricultural activities, by sex
18. Fuel imports, developed economies: unit value and volume indices; value
19. Indicators on fuel imports, developed economies
37. External trade conversion factors
39. Manufactured goods exports: unit value indices, volume indices and value
51. Selected series of world statistics
For more information: http://unstats.un.org/unsd/mbs
Meeting records
Report of Rio+20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development
The outcome report on the conference which was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on 20-22 June 2012 acknowledged that, as part of a “Common Vision”, democracy, good governance and the rule of law, at the national and international levels, as well as an enabling environment, are essential for sustainable development, including sustained and inclusive economic growth, social development, environmental protection and the eradication of poverty and hunger. It reaffirmed that to achieve sustainable development goals, institutions at all levels need to be effective, transparent, accountable and democratic.
With respect to the institutional frameworks for sustainable development, the report recognized that effective governance at the local, subnational, national, regional and global levels, representing the voices and interests of all is critical for advancing sustainable development and that the strengthening and reform of the same should not be an end in itself, but a means to achieve sustainable development. The divisions’ work programme on governance is consistent to the areas raised in the outcome report and DPADM will make further reference in a bid to strengthen the same.
For more information: http://www.uncsd2012.org/rio20/
Outreach material
Social Development Link Newsletter (SDLN)
The July issue is now available online highlighting the ECOSOC sessions including the Development Cooperation Forum as well as the International Day of Cooperatives 2012. The newsletter is published by the Civil Society and Outreach Unit of DESA’s Division for Social Policy and Development (DSPD), is now available. It aims at providing a sharp and synthetic summary of major activities carried out by DSPD and serve as a link between DSPD and its major partners, from civil society actors to social development practitioners and scholars.
For more information: http://social.un.org/index/Newsletters/SDLNewsletter/July2012.aspx
Youth Flash Newsletter
The July issue is now available featuring the story “Youth: a Hot Topic at the UN”, presenting the activities of DESA in keeping youth issues sizzling. The newsletter is a service of the Division for Social Policy and Development (DSPD) Focal Point on Youth to help keep the public informed about the work of the UN on youth issues. It is prepared with input from UN offices, agencies, funds and programmes, and from youth organizations all over the world.
For more information: http://social.un.org/index/Youth/YouthFlashNewsletter/2012/July.aspx
Discussion papers
Monthly Briefing on the World Economic Situation and Prospects
The July issue highlights the deceleration of international trade which mirrors weakening global demand, reduced industrial production and interconnected slowdowns among trading partners resulting from macroeconomic uncertainties and policies in developed countries. The briefing also highlights the progress made in EU bank recapitalization and growth pact as well as the slowing growth in Brazil and India.
To download: http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/policy/wesp/wesp_mb/wesp_mb45.pdf
Working papers
Should global goal setting continue, and how, in the post -2015 era?
The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were introduced to monitor implementation of the United Nations Millennium Declaration which set out a vision for inclusive and sustainable globalization based on human rights principles. This paper critically assesses the MDG experience including their policy purpose, ethical commitments, political origins, and consequences. It proposes that post-2015 goals should be based on principles of equity, sustainability and human security and address key contemporary challenges such as climate change, unemployment, inequality and global market instability.
For more information: http://www.un.org/esa/desa/papers/2012/wp117_2012.pdf
Websites
Launch of a new web portal: United Nations Social Development Network (UNSDN)
DESA’s Division for Social Policy and Development (DSPD) has launched a new web portal (as a pilot project) called United Nations Social Development Network (UNSDN) to share knowledge and good practices among social development professionals worldwide on ageing, civil society, cooperatives, disability, employment, family, indigenous peoples, poverty, social integration, technology and youth.
UNSDN is uniquely positioned to disseminate information and knowledge produced by the United Nations system in the area of social development, particularly on the three core issues of poverty eradication, employment generation and social integration. UNSDN will act as a major interface between DESA’s work in the area of social development and that of its partners involved in advancing the global social development agenda.
To browse: http://unsdn.org/
Publications in other languages
The following publication has been translated into Russian and Spanish:
Manual on Statistics of International Trade in Services 2010 (MSITS 2010)
ST/ESA/STAT/SER.M/86/Rev.1, Sales No.: 10.XVII.14
For more information: http://unstats.un.org/unsd/default.htm
Website additions and updates
Online updates to “2011 International Trade Statistics Yearbook Volume I – Trade by Country” provides an overview of the world trade in 2011 and detailed information on the merchandise trade of 174 countries (or areas).
For more information: http://comtrade.un.org/pb/
UN e-Government Survey recognized
The Economist Intelligence Unit published “Smart policies to close the digital divide: Best practices from around the world” and have mentioned the UN E-Government Survey and quoted Haiyan Qian on improved access due to mobile technology.
The report, based on extensive desk research and wide-ranging interviews with experts from more than ten developed and emerging-market countries, presents best practices that have been adopted by governments and the private sector globally to bridge digital divides.
For more information:
http://www.unpan.org/DPADM/Home/tabid/420/language/en-US/Default.aspx
