The COVID-19 pandemic is a stark reminder that poverty isn’t just about income. Within and across countries, poor and marginalized communities are disproportionately affected by the pandemic in terms of infection rates, economic losses and access to vaccines and other health care imperatives. Understanding the multidimensional nature of poverty can help us design a more resilient recovery that leaves no one behind. And UNDP’s Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) gives us a critical tool to measure and monitor poverty in all its forms.
UNDP
The wildlife-based tourism sector has been devastated by the effects of COVID-19. As tourism collapsed, related jobs and income were lost, conservation project funds were withdrawn, and as a result, poaching increased in many places around the world. These three consequences of COVID-19 were followed by a further knock-on effect: widespread food insecurity. Reversing degradation of land, soil, & forests is at the heart of ensuring people have enough to eat. It is also at the core of protecting wildlife. Read how nine projects are working to tackle both.
Women Entrepreneurs was launched to support businesswomen in the aftermath of the earthquake that struck Haiti on January 2010 and it was then relaunched in 2018 to support women living in the most vulnerable neighbourhoods of the capital, Port-au-Prince. The initiative has been funded by the Korean International Cooperation Agency and implemented by UNDP in collaboration with the community platforms. As such, Women Entrepreneurs has been providing training and enhancing women’s business skills, thereby boosting their autonomy and resilience.
Though its weather may be unpredictable, the beautiful Mt Jahorina in Bosnia and Herzegovina – a 1984 Winter Olympic venue – has attracted thousands of skiers for decades. But in recent years, nature admirers have begun flocking to the area in spring, summer, and autumn as well. The Jahorina community has noted the potential for year-round tourism, including outdoor and mountain sports, youth camps and activities, and conference tourism.
The clean energy revolution has begun. How quickly and fairly it happens, and who will benefit from it, is the greatest challenge of our time. What we do next will shape the destinies of generations to come.
Food is so much more than what we put into our bodies. At a human level it’s a deeply important part of our culture and history, tied to our sense of self, family and community. The food system has evolved considerably, from traditional methods that reflected location and culture to decentralized food chains with increased carbon demands. A new approach to supporting farmers is needed after a UNDP, FAO and UNEP report showed that agricultural subsidies cause market distortions that disadvantage small farmers, like this one in Kenya.
Malaysia is helping to protect the ozone layer by taking measures to control total global production and consumption of substances that deplete it.
We believe in the future. We believe that people and planet can thrive as one. We believe that lessons learned can guide generations to come. We believe that moving forward means leaving no one behind. We believe that sustainability is survival. And that equality will become universal. We know the challenges are extraordinary. But we can achieve the extraordinary. And we believe that working together is what makes the world strong. At UNDP, we believe in everything we do. Now we can do even better.
Only 4.8 percent of Uruguay’s land is now covered by native forests. A group of local people have decided to reverse that trend and despite the winter’s cold, have gathered in a local park to start work. UNDP Uruguay’s Accelerator Lab, and partners have begun planting 1,000 trees to restore Punta del Diablo’s native forest.
Nobody has a crystal ball. How we can prepare for an increasingly uncertain future when we don't know what it is? Hello Future is a UNDP video series exploring the trends shaping our world. From digitalization to inequality, to the climate emergency, to crisis response, we examine the critical issues facing humans and the place we call home, and what we must do if we're to get out of this century alive.
Digital technology is advancing at an incredibly rapid pace – but not evenly. UNDP supports digital livelihoods for women and measures the gender digital divide.
