Social justice in action means dismantling systemic barriers, equipping workers with future-ready skills, and ensuring every voice – especially women, youth, and marginalized communities – is heard in the global economy. UN Country Teams, led by Resident Coordinators, have been at the forefront of championing social justice as a fundamental pillar for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The World Economic Situation and Prospects 2025 report shows that despite withstanding a series of mutually reinforcing shocks, global economic growth has stagnated and remains below the pre-pandemic annual average of 3.2 per cent.
During COP29, the UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan stresses the urgent need to rebuild trust in climate action, particularly in climate finance, policymaking, and institutions, to accelerate progress towards a sustainable future.
In 2024, more than half-way to 2030, we have a U$4 trillion in financing for development gap which is unthinkable. No single source of finance can fix the problem, even as countries deal with crushing debt. Reforming the international financial architecture to prioritize sustainable development is a first step.
Digital entrepreneurship has the tremendous potential to create jobs, bridge inequalities and unlock new opportunities for a sustainable future. The Joint SDG Fund is directing investments towards digital solutions for enterprises to flourish and boost economies.
UN Deputy Secretary-General calls on African leaders to boost intra-African trade and reform the global financial system to unlock Africa's potential for sustainable economic growth. She highlights the critical role of trade facilitation, payment infrastructure, and energy access in driving development and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
The UN chief spoke about climate justice, reform of the financial system, the upcoming Summit of the Future, and the need for renewed multilateralism in an increasingly multipolar world.
Middle-income countries represent close to one-third of global GDP and they are major engines of global growth. Yet, vulnerabilities are not solely a function of and do not disappear with income level. Middle-income countries are also home to some 62% of the world’s poor.
