Where We Are
As world leaders gather for the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, the task is clear: to put the Sustainable Development Goals at the center of global decision-making.
Over the past decade, targeted investments and global cooperation have delivered real results at scale, expanding access to education, clean water, healthcare, and digital connectivity for billions. While significant challenges persist, 36 per cent of targets are on track or making moderate progress.
The flagship SDG Media Zone will take place in New York during the High-level week from 21-25 September. It will host impactful in-depth interviews and dialogues on global issues that matter to people everywhere. All events will be streamed LIVE on UN Web TV.
To learn more, please visit the UN General Assembly High-level Week page.
Read more about the Sustainable Development Goals.
SDGs in numbers
- Since 2015, nearly 1 billion people gained safely managed drinking water and 1.2 billion gained safely managed sanitation.
- 45 countries have achieved universal electricity access, showcasing scalable solutions for clean energy.
- 54 countries have successfully eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease, demonstrating major healthcare triumphs.
- Income growth for the poorest 40% of the population outpaced national averages in nearly 60% of countries since 2015.
Media Resources for journalists
Explore the Media Resources hub for the latest from UN WebTV, UN Audiovisual Library, UN Photo, UNifeed and more! https://media.un.org/en. For the latest UN Reports, click here.
“Together, let us make a decisive final push to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and build a healthy, prosperous future for all.”
– António Guterres, UN Secretary-General, 07 July 2026
In Focus – TEN THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR THIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY
SDG Moment | 18 September 2026
The annual SDG Moment, under the banner ‘Together, we can get there’, will showcase stories of transformation from communities, countries, and regions driving change across the various Global Goals. Expect live performances and dynamic conversations in a live three-hour event.
General Debate | 22 – 28 September 2026
The annual meeting of Heads of State and Government is held at the beginning of the General Assembly session — where world leaders make statements outlining their positions and priorities in the context of complex and interconnected global challenges.
Goals Lounge (14-25 September) and SDG Media Zone (21-25 September)
The UN Department of Global Communications' flagship SDG Media Zone features live interviews, discussions and social media opportunities to inspire action on the SDGs. Join us for a full week of engaging speakers! Click here for more information and for regular updates on the programme.
Convened by the UN Deputy Secretary-General and hosted by the UN Office for Partnerships, the Goals Lounge will feature unscripted dialogues, deep dives into vital issues and host interactive experiences — all designed to keep the promise of the SDGs for people, for the planet, for peace.
All events are live streamed on UN WebTV.
40th Anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development | 23 September 2026
Adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1986, the Declaration called for every member of society to be empowered to participate fully and freely in vital decisions and demanded equal opportunities and the equitable distribution of economic resources. For the past four decades, the Declaration has provided a framework for advancing inclusive, sustainable, and participatory development at all levels, while shaping related laws and policies.
High-level Event on Climate Action and the Just Transition | 23 September 2026
The UN Secretary-General will convene a high-level meeting on climate action and the just transition, focused on accelerating a just and orderly energy transition to renewables; mobilizing and scaling up affordable finance and investments for developing countries; and delivering adaptation and resilience support in an era of climate overshoot.
High-level Meeting on Sea-level Rise | 24 September 2026
The High-Level Meeting on Sea-Level Rise will convene global leaders, experts, and other stakeholders to address the urgent and escalating threat of rising sea levels. Participants will work towards developing comprehensive solutions and actionable commitments to combat sea-level rise, ensuring a resilient and sustainable future including for small island developing states and low-lying coastal areas.
High-level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response | 25 September 2026
Guided by the theme, “Fostering a multilateral and intergenerational approach to prevent, prepare for and respond to pandemics and public health emergencies, through the principles of equity and solidarity,” the President of the UN General Assembly will convene a one-day meeting aimed at mobilizing political will at the national, regional and international levels for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.
High-level Meeting to Mark the 25th Anniversary of the Adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action| 28 September 2026
Adopted at the 2001 World Conference Against Racism, the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action is a global blueprint for racial justice and equality. Marking the 25th anniversary, this meeting serves as an opportunity to accelerate collective efforts to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.
High-level Plenary Meeting to Commemorate and Promote the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons | 29 September 2026
Achieving global nuclear disarmament is the highest disarmament priority of the United Nations. This annual High-level plenary meeting commemorates and promotes the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons.
Highlights
Gender Snapshot | 17 September
The 2026 Gender Snapshot will show that progress towards women’s equal participation in political leadership has lost momentum. The report underscores that achieving gender equality in leadership is about increasing women’s representation as much as it is about ensuring they have equal access to positions of real authority and influence. Read more.
International Day of Peace | 21 September
Under the theme Invest in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day, this year’s International Day of Peace honours the ‘everyday architects of peace’—people driving local action, laying the groundwork for stability, and building a lasting peace from the ground up.
News Features
News Feature | Selected Story
The clean energy transition needs land. Can it help restore it too?
The transition away from fossil fuels will require much more solar, wind and other renewable-energy infrastructure, with an emerging physical footprint that expects to see the 500,000 hectares currently used for renewable-energy projects reach three million hectares by 2032.
International Days and Years
ACTNOW for our Common Future
ActNow is the United Nations campaign to inspire people to act for the Sustainable Development Goals, improving life for everyone: A healthy planet. A better economy. A just society. A peaceful world. Visit ActNow to learn more https://www.un.org/actnow
Awake at Night Podcast
In this episode of Awake at Night, UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock reflects on female leadership, and why the UN Charter still moves her to tears. Listen here.