___________

Where We Are

We have seen that progress is possible. For the first time on record, more than half of the world's population is now covered by at least one social protection benefit, reflecting sustained investments in education, health and social safety nets. However, more than 800 million people still live in extreme poverty in 2025. A surge in action and investment to enhance economic opportunities, improve education and extend social protection to all, particularly the most excluded, is crucial to ending poverty and leaving no one behind.

The Pact for the Future underscores the urgency of expanding universal health coverage, inclusive education and decent work to eradicate poverty and reduce inequalities.

SDG 1 in Numbers

  • In 2025, 808 million people—or 1 in 10 people worldwide—were living in extreme poverty. 
  • Over 1.5 billion people escaped extreme poverty between 1990 and 2022 under updated international poverty estimates. 
  • 52.4% of the global population is now covered by at least one social protection benefit—the highest level ever recorded. 
  • Guaranteeing basic social security floors in low-and middle-income countries requires an additional $1.4 trillion annually. 

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.

“Poverty is not a personal failure; it is a systemic failure – a denial of dignity and human rights. Let’s stand with people living in poverty, and act with solidarity to end poverty for good.”

– António Guterres, UN Secretary-General, 17 October 2025

In Focus

Commission for Social Development (CSocD64) | 2-10 February

This year’s Commission, to be held at the UN Headquarters in New York, will be the first gathering since world leaders renewed their commitment to people-centred, inclusive and sustainable development through the adoption of the Doha Declaration on Social Development in December 2025.

CSocD64 will seek to promote social development and social justice through coordinated, equitable and inclusive policies.

Highlights

4 February | ECOSOC Special Meeting on Financial Integrity

The Sevilla Commitment mandated the establishment of a Special Meeting on Financial Integrity. The ECOSOC Special Meeting on Financial Integrity aims to foster systemic dialogue, address unintended consequences of financial integrity policies and exchange best practices, including through the use of technologies to combat illicit financial flows (IFFs). Read more.

11 – 13 February | Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour

Governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations, civil society, the private sector and international partners will convene in Morocco to accelerate progress towards ending child labour. 138 million children are still in child labour, including 54 million in hazardous work, according to ILO-UNICEF Global Estimates. Read more.

16 February | ECOSOC Special Meeting on Agri-food Systems Transformations for Leaving No One Behind

The meeting will aim to catalyze coordinated and coherent action in support of agrifood system transformations. Persistent food insecurity, worsened by economic slowdowns, conflicts, geopolitical tensions and climate events require an effective response. Read more.

24 – 27 February | Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development

This annual Forum aims to inform, empower, and support Asia-Pacific countries — especially least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States — in their efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by identifying regional trends and sharing best practices and lessons learned. Read more.

News Features

News Feature | Selected Story

Myanmar’s urban harvest

In 2023, 43 per cent of Yangon’s urban population was living in poverty. Mushroom farming, through UNDP and the Urban Resilience Project, demonstrates livelihood opportunities that can make a difference amidst poverty and conflict. Read the full article.

Africa Renewal | Selected Story

African economies to grow in 2026, despite uncertain global context

Despite mounting global and fiscal pressures, Africa is on track for stronger economic growth by 2026, fueled by regional momentum and long-term reforms, according to the UN’s latest World Economic Situation and Prospects report. Discover what’s driving the growth here.

ACTNOW for our Common Future  

ActNow is the United Nations campaign to inspire people to act for the Sustainable Development Goals. The Goals can improve life for all of us. A healthy planet. A better economy. A just society. A peaceful world. These issues matter to everyone. But progress is too slow. We have to act, urgently, to accelerate changes that add to better lives on a healthier planet. Join the campaign to learn — and do — more for #OurCommonFuture. Visit ActNow: https://www.un.org/actnow 

NEW Season! Awake at Night Podcast 

From armed conflicts and climate disasters to food insecurity and mass displacement, overlapping crises are placing immense strain on our world and its people. Wherever and whenever crisis hits, United Nations staff are on the ground saving lives and negotiating at the highest levels to alleviate suffering, despite shrinking resources. This work is only possible due to the personal sacrifices made every day by UN workers around the world. Join UN chief communicator Melissa Fleming as she gets to know the extraordinary people behind the Organization in Season 12 of Awake at Night. 

Discover all the episodes and previous seasons here ->  https://pod.link/1429922419 

SDG EDITORIAL CALENDAR 2026