With millions of fans from across the globe celebrating the World Cup in Mexico, UN Volunteers worked with UNICEF to develop child protection measures throughout the tournament, creating a safeguarding model that can last after the final whistle.
Egypt is working with the UN to integrate its 10.5 million migrants, refugees and foreign nationals through a coordinated approach that improves access to health, education and protection services, supporting displaced and host communities alike.
During Geneva Digital Week, UN leaders called for inclusive global governance to ensure that AI is safe, ethical and benefits everyone, especially those in developing countries. They also emphasised the importance of human oversight, transparency and international cooperation to harness AI's potential and mitigate its risks.
As heatwaves become increasingly severe and long, the UN is supporting communities by improving access to water, addressing the health impacts of extreme temperatures and leveraging both nature and new technologies.
With conflicts flaring in northern Ghana over land, resources and succession to traditional authority, UN-supported community peacebuilding shows how local action and national leadership reinforce stability while empowering vulnerable communities.
The Joint SDG Fund is supporting a UN-backed programme that works with local farmers in Covalima and Zumalai to change how food is produced and sold by expanding access to markets, agricultural innovation and nutrition.
For nearly two decades, drought and climate impacts destroyed farmlands in Tur Al-Baha. A UN-supported programme rehabilitated a collapsed irrigation network to provide access to water and protect harvests, restoring food, income and opportunity.
Since Uzbekistan ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2021, the UN has supported the country’s efforts to improve disability inclusion. UN Volunteers are ensuring that inclusion is part of everyday decisions, not just policy language.
Governments are reporting the highest levels of satisfaction with UN development support since reforms of the development system began nearly a decade ago. But continued progress will depend on sustained political engagement and more predictable financing.
At the 2026 ECOSOC Operational Activities for Development Segment, the UN Secretary-General highlighted key findings from the UNSDG Chair Report, including progress made due to reforms in the UN development system and four areas where action is essential.
