"The war [in the Ukraine] is affecting the sustainable development of every single country in our region [...] The war was used as a pretext to walk back on certain already feeble commitments in terms of climate."

Vladislav Kaim is dedicated to protecting the environment. A member of the UN Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change, he promotes green jobs, the energy transition, and generous climate finance - urgent priorities for our rapidly warming world. Yet the war in Ukraine has blown apart regional and global networks working towards a livable future. As a Moldovan, Vladislav Kaim has seen how the devastating war in Ukraine has affected the region and turned people's attention away from the climate emergency. In this episode, he reflects on the effect of the war on long-term climate action, and on his fears for loved ones in the region.

Photo: ©Vladislav Kaim

In the small coastal Japanese city of Hakui, elementary students visit local shops to learn how the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are incorporated in their businesses. They are making “SDG newspapers” for their school and the city. The SDGs, also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

The General Assembly will meet on 10 February for the first in a series of five open, inclusive, informal thematic consultations on the Secretary-General’s report Our Common Agenda. Our Common Agenda looks ahead to the next 25 years and represents the Secretary-General’s vision on the future of global cooperation and reinvigorating inclusive, networked, and effective multilateralism. It builds on many of the ideas that emerged during the year-long global listening exercise conducted in the context of the UN's 75th anniversary.

The SDG Media Zone at the Dubai Expo takes place from 16 – 20 January 2022 at the UN Hub. Hosted by the United Nations in collaboration with the PVBLIC Foundation and media partners, the SDG Media Zone aims to take the conversation on advancing the Sustainable Development Goals out of the policy sphere and into the public discourse. Through a live format of interviews and panel discussions, the SDG Media Zone brings together UN principals, influencers, and industry leaders to talk about innovative solutions and initiatives that address global challenges, such as inequalities, climate change and gender disparity.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are our global blueprint for a better world, and a statement of our collective ambition for dignified and equal opportunities for all. Expo 2020 is an unparalleled opportunity to mobilise citizens around the SDGs. Events during the week of 15-22 January will take stock of how far we have come and explore how we can act together to deliver on this international roadmap. Best practices in last-mile delivery, livelihood and enterprise development, and the rights of women and girls will be highlighted.

The comforting aromas of tea and coffee unite people all over the world. These beverages are more than just a brew, they embody hundreds of years of knowledge that spans across generations. Tea and coffee are linked to many potential health benefits, as mounting scientific evidence has shown.

To millions of farmers in the poorest parts of the world, however, tea and coffee represent a source of income, livelihoods and a ladder out of poverty. They also contribute to transforming our agri-food systems towards sustainability and resilience. These billion-dollar industries fuel entire economies. Smallholder farmers and farming households are at the forefront of these sectors, producing 60% of the global tea supply and 80% of the coffee supply.

To learn more about tea and coffee, visit:

• FAO Markets and Trade
• WORLD FOOD DAY 2021 (WFD 2021)
• WFD 2021 Side event: Dialogue on Tea and Coffee - A talk show-style dialogue that explores the cultural significance and economic importance of tea and coffee (watch here)

COP 26: UN Climate Change Summit

Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere

Goal 2: Zero Hunger

Swiss-French artist Saype (Guillaume Legros) presents his giant ephemeral landart painting entitled "World in Progress II" at UN Headquarters, New York. The artwork, representing two children drawing and building with origami their ideal world, covers 11'000 square meters (118'000 sq ft) and is produced with biodegradable paints made from natural pigments such as charcoal and chalk. It constitutes the second step of a project started at the U.N. European headquarters in Geneva in 2020. The project is supported and gifted by Switzerland to the U.N. to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the organization and the launch of “Our Common Agenda.”

BTS, the award-winning K-Pop boy band and Special Presidential Envoy for Future Generations and Culture of the Republic of Korea, performed at the UN in New York at the SDG Moment convened by Secretary-General António Guterres on the eve of the opening of the High-level Week dedicated to accelerating action on the SDGs. 

People everywhere will join a new United Nations campaign, Keeping the Promise, to rally behind the Sustainable Development Goals, which were adopted in 2015 to set the world on a more equal and sustainable path.

As the world responds to end the COVID-19 pandemic, 2021 remains a make-or-break year in the global effort to restore balance with nature, tackle the climate emergency, and attain a more equal and inclusive society. Join us for conversations that matter – underscoring the transformation and

UNGA High-Level Week 2021

Join us in the exchanges of ideas and experiences on how sport brings values and inspirations to contribute in accelerating and expanding the efforts to make our world a better place.

The UN High-level Political Forum is the largest annual gathering on progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).