New UN websites & publications
TOPIC OF THE MONTH: UN80 Initiative
Secretary-General António Guterres announced the launch of the UN80 Initiative on 12 March 2025 to rapidly identify efficiencies and improvements, review the implementation of all mandates given to the Organization by Member States, and conduct a strategic review of “deeper, more structural changes and programme realignment in the UN System.”
Further information:
- Secretary-General’s press encounter on the UN80 Initiative: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/press-encounter/2025-03-12/secretary-generals-press-encounter-the-un80-initiative
- Guterres prioritises UN reform to ensure taxpayers’ money reaches those in need (News Centre, 12 March 2024): https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/03/1161046
- Video: Guterres UN80 Initiative: https://media.un.org/unifeed/en/asset/d334/d3349237
- Ask Dag! Where can I find the reform proposals of Secretary-General António Guterres? https://ask.un.org/faq/207525
Economic Growth and Sustainable Development
https://tinyurl.com/43mdexwh
The number of people exposed to dangerously high level of air pollution could be halved by 2040 with targeted policy action, according to this new World Bank report released on 27 March 2025. The study estimates that outdoor air pollution kills roughly 5.7 million lives annually, with 95% of deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries, and accounts for a loss equivalent to nearly 5% of global GDP, due to health impacts, lost productivity, and reduced life expectancy.
see also: Breathing Easier: Strategies for Clean Air (27 March 2025): https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/immersive-story/2025/03/27/breathing-easier-strategies-for-clean-air
Boreal forests: A global treasure (UNECE)
https://unece.org/info/publications/pub/400586
The study offers a comprehensive overview of forests and the forest sector within the boreal biome and delves into the importance of boreal forests in environmental, social, and economic contexts. The study is based on a review of existing literature and data on boreal forests and country-specific national overviews prepared for this project by six UNECE member countries (Canada, Finland, Norway, the Russian Federation, Sweden, United Stated of America) with boreal forests. Despite their importance, boreal forests receive less attention than tropical forests. The study addresses this gap, examining their characteristics, management practices, and challenges.
The case for Nature ID: How Digital Public Infrastructure can catalyze nature and climate action (UNDP)
https://www.undp.org/publications/case-nature-id-how-digital-public-infrastructure-can-catalyze-nature-and-climate-action
“Cautiously Optimistic”: Young people’s thoughts about the impacts and influences of Generative Artificial Intelligence (UNU Macao Research Brief No.1, February 2025)
https://unu.edu/macau/brief/cautiously-optimistic-young-peoples-thoughts-about-impacts-and-influences-generative
This research brief qualitatively examines how young adults think and feel about Generative AI and its impacts on their lives, as well as the potential influences on children and young people in the future. As such, we draw upon youth voices to help understand the positive and negative future imaginaries of Generative AI.
https://www.un.org/development/desa/dpad/publication/challenges-to-global-trade-growth-in-2025/
The UN Committee for Development Policy (CDP) has launched a new CDP Issue Briefs series. For its inaugural release, CDP member Carlos Lopes reflects on the challenges to global trade growth in 2025.
Cybersecurity and privacy maturity assessment and strengthening for digital health information systems (WHO/Europe)
https://www.who.int/europe/publications/i/item/WHO-EURO-2025-11827-51599-78854
This guide focuses on cybersecurity and privacy risk assessments in digital health, as tailored to the WHO European Region. It provides a framework for technical audiences to develop risk assessment specifications suited to the unique needs and goals of their organizations and countries in order to comply with country-specific cybersecurity and privacy regulations. The assessment questionnaire that forms part of the assessment methodology is also available in the form of a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and is published as a separate web annex.
https://hdl.handle.net/10986/42962
The enlargement of the European Union towards the Western Balkans is experiencing unprecedented dynamism, supported by the launch of a tailored Euro 6 billion growth plan. This renewed momentum offers an important opportunity for the Western Balkans to accelerate economic convergence with the standards of living of their European peers, which has stalled. Drawing on the development trajectory of the Western Balkans and selected New Member States during 1991-2023, and simulations measuring the impact on gross domestic product (GDP) of specific policy reforms, this policy note puts forward a new economic agenda for the Western Balkans – to be implemented in synergy with the growth plan. The analysis shows that if these countries can reach the levels of New Member States with respect to the strength of institutions, level of investment, volume of trade, and quality of education, their growth rate can as much as double.
https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000392932
This new UNESCO report underscores the importance of school meals in the health and learning of children. Although these days many pupils have access to school meals, not enough emphasis is placed on the nutritional value of the produce used. UNESCO advocates the use of healthier and more nutritious foods, and the inclusion of food education in school curricula.
Freshwater Ecosystems Explorer
https://www.sdg661.app/
A gender snapshot of the Arab region 2024 (ESCWA)
https://www.unescwa.org/publications/gender-snapshot-arab-region-2024-policy-brief
https://www.unescwa.org/publications/gender-statistics-arab-region
The Arab region is facing significant challenges in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, with progress towards gender equality being particularly slow and uneven. Despite a doubling of data availability, substantial gaps persist in various areas. The present statistical brief provides a snapshot of gender disparities across various sectors, and presents data-driven insights for policymakers, researchers and advocates. The key topics covered include women in politics, finance, education, employment, child marriage, and violence against women. The statistical brief underscores both the progress achieved and the critical need for further efforts to accelerate change.
Global Online Stakeholder Consultation for the Implementation Plan of the UN Decade of Sustainable Transport (2026–2035): Summary Report
https://sdgs.un.org/basic-page/global-online-stakeholder-consultation-un-decade-sustainable-transport-2026-2035-56729
This summary report includes valuable inputs from 113 organizations across 45 countries. The Global Online Stakeholder Consultation was conducted by DESA to encourage inputs from stakeholders from different sectors to contribute their views, comments and inputs to the Implementation Plan of the UN Decade of Sustainable Transport.
Political Engagement, Collective Action, and Influence of Private Firms in the European Union (World Bank)
https://hdl.handle.net/10986/42896
This Brief studies patterns of political engagement among private firms in the European Union (EU). Using representative data, allowing for analysis at the level of NUTS2 regional groupings (EU regions varying from about 800,000 to 3 million inhabitants), various patterns of engagement emerge. In particular, business association membership is widespread, and its variation seems to be largely explained by cross-country patterns. Such differences may be due to differing legal regimes that do or do not mandate membership in business organizations; generally, firms tend to value the services provided by such organizations less when membership is mandatory. Firms may also turn to other forms of political engagement, such as the maintenance of political connections. Overall, patterns of political engagement seeking influence vary widely, including within countries, often along identifiable institutional lines. An estimated Political Influence score is used to measure this activity. Though this score varies, analysis suggests that firms with higher scores show higher measures of firm performance, especially relative to their peer/competitor firms. There is evidence of political competition, where higher influence begets similar activity among peer firms.
For additional World Bank Briefs on the European Union – click here.
https://hdl.handle.net/10986/42972
This report aims to summarize the third edition of the World Bank FAO Knowledge Session series, including the topics covered, the countries featured and the impact of the various sessions. The report is also an opportunity to summarize the case studies and actionable solutions gathered and presented during the five sessions from April to June 2024. Drawing upon valuable information experiences from different countries in the South Asia region, the case studies presented in this report, as well as the actionable solutions identified, present a collection of good practices that development practitioners can follow when designing and implementing projects, programs and policies.
The Real Cost of a Trade War: Examining the Fallout of US Tariffs (UNU-CRIS, INSIGHT Brief No. 3, 2025)
https://cris.unu.edu/real-cost-trade-war-examining-fallout-us-tariffs
The previous trade war was a failure on all accounts for US President Donald Trump: the trade deficit was not cancelled and his policies cost Americans their jobs. A trade war on a larger scale with bordering countries will be as damaging if not more. Due to the size of the American market, tariffs will undeniably considerably hurt its affected partners. Retaliatory tariffs, while understandable, will only further the cycle of losses for all actors involved in this trade war. This trade war threatens CUSMA and further risks the region’s economy. The tariffs are unlikely to improve the trade deficit or the value of the dollar and will worsen problems like inflation and decreasing competitiveness of US manufacturing. Reshoring looks compromised and the trade war is unlikely to benefit the average American worker. A trade war is never without suffering and, whether economically or politically motivated, the analysis suggests the tariffs are likely to be painful for the American people.
Report: https://doi.org/10.4060/cd4838en
Interactive story: https://www.fao.org/interactive/2025/safeguarding-forest-genetic-resources/en/
Forests and woodlands provide a huge array of essential benefits for people and the planet – such as hosting biodiversity, supporting livelihoods, protecting soils, regulating water cycles and mitigating climate change. At the heart of such benefits are forest genetic resources: the heritable materials maintained within and among tree and other woody plant species that are of actual or potential economic, environmental, scientific or societal value. These genetic resources underpin the resilience, adaptability and productivity of forests and other tree-based systems, enabling them to withstand environmental stresses and thereby continue providing vital ecosystem services. Drawing on data and information from 77 countries representing more than three-quarters of the world’s forests, The Second Report on the State of the World’s Forest Genetic Resources provides a global assessment of forest genetic resources.
English: https://library.wmo.int/records/item/69456-state-of-the-climate-in-latin-america-and-the-caribbean-2024
Spanish: https://library.wmo.int/records/item/69463-estado-del-clima-en-america-latina-y-el-caribe-2024
In 2024, the region faced devastating effects from hurricanes, wildfires, droughts, and floods, which continued to affect lives, livelihoods, and food supply chains long after the events ended. 2024 was the warmest, or second warmest year on record, which had devastating impacts on glaciers. With the loss of the Humboldt glacier, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela became the second country in the world to lose all of its glaciers. A positive development in the report was the increasingly important role of renewable energy – at nearly 69% of the region’s energy mix. Solar and wind experienced a remarkable 30% increase in capacity and generation compared to 2023.
https://wmo.int/publication-series/state-of-global-climate-2024
The clear signs of human-induced climate change reached new heights in 2024, with some of the consequences being irreversible over hundreds if not thousands of years, according to this new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), which also underlined the massive economic and social upheavals from extreme weather.
https://unece.org/info/publications/pub/400551
Subjective measures are increasingly included among the set of assessment tools for poverty used by countries. Objective poverty measures alone are not sufficient to understand the complexity of poverty. Subjective measures can therefore complement them in important ways, especially with regard to reaching the poorest and making their voices heard. This publication explores the conceptual basis and provides approaches to the measurement and analysis of subjective poverty. The document consolidates country examples, reviews methodological challenges in data collection, and offers practical solutions from specific question wordings to ready-to-use R computer code for subjective poverty lines estimation. Building on existing international work, it recommends subjective poverty indicators for international comparison.
https://w3.unece.org/sdg2025/
Efforts to reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 are facing strong headwinds from the continuing conflicts, climate change, and economic uncertainties. New data available for this year’s report on SDG progress in the UNECE Region better reveals the adverse impacts of these crises on the prospects of achieving the SDGs. The region – spanning across Europe, North America, the Caucasus and Central Asia, Türkiye and Israel – is on track to achieve only 21 targets (17% of the 125 measurable targets) by 2030. This is almost no change from 20 targets in 2024, and 21 targets in 2023. For 84 targets, progress needs to accelerate, and for 20 targets (up from 17 last year), the current trend must be reversed. The sixth UNECE SDG progress report is the flagship document informing the deliberations of the upcoming Regional Forum for Sustainable Development.
https://www.worldbank.org/en/data/interactive/2021/03/02/temporary-trade-barriers-database
This database collects information on the use of temporary trade barriers in the form of antidumping, countervailing, and safeguard measures across over 30 countries since the 1980s through 2024. These policy measures, often referred to as trade remedy actions, are implemented by government authorities against imports likely to have an adverse effect on national production, either by dumping, subsidies, or import surges by foreign sellers.
Tracking SDG 7: The Energy Progress Report 2024 (IEA / IRENA / UNSD / World Bank / WHO)
https://hdl.handle.net/10986/42954
Since its inception in 2018, this report has become the global reference for information on progress toward the achievement of SDG 7 of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The aim of SDG 7 is to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. This report thus summarizes global progress on energy access, energy efficiency, renewable energy, clean cooking, and international cooperation to advance SDG 7. It presents updated statistics for each of the indicators and provides policy insights on priority areas and actions needed to spur further progress on SDG 7.
The United Nations World Water Development Report 2025: Mountains and Glaciers – Water towers (UN Water / UNESCO)
Report in English, French & Italian; Executive summary in English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish; Facts, figures and action examples in English, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish: https://www.unwater.org/publications/un-world-water-development-report-2025
Women in Politics: 2025 (IPU / UN Women)
English: https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/2025-03/women-in-politics-2025-en.pdf
Spanish: https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/2025-03/women-in-politics-2025-es.pdf
see also: Facts and figures: Women’s leadership and political participation (UN Women, 11 March 2025): https://www.unwomen.org/en/articles/facts-and-figures/facts-and-figures-womens-leadership-and-political-participation
International Peace and Security
https://unidir.org/publication/ai-military-domain-briefing-note-states/
On 24 December 2024, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly adopted Resolution A/RES/79/239 on Artificial intelligence in the military domain and its implications for international peace and security. The UN Secretary-General recently invited Member States, observer States, international and regional organizations, the International Committee of the Red Cross, civil society, industry and the scientific community to submit their views “on the opportunities and challenges posed to international peace and security by the application of artificial intelligence in the military domain, with specific focus on areas other than lethal autonomous weapons systems”. This briefing note will contribute to a report submitted to the 18th session of General Assembly and aims to support States in the formulation of their national views on this topic. It seeks to ensure that the resulting report is as comprehensive, diverse and geographically representative as possible. The brief includes some contextual information on the topic of AI in the military domain, a set of considerations for States to refer to, and a list of suggested readings that draws on UNIDIR’s own research and selected external publications.
Concept note for the Security Council high-level open debate on the theme “Advancing adaptability in United Nations peace operations: responding to new realities”
English, French & Spanish: https://docs.un.org/S/2025/141
Denmark, in its capacity as President of the Security Council for the month of March, organized a high-level open debate in the Security Council on the maintenance of international peace and security, on the theme “Advancing adaptability in United Nations peace operations: responding to new realities” on 24 March 2025.” In order to guide the discussions on this topic, Denmark has prepared this concept note.
https://tinyurl.com/yx55tas7
In recent years, the international community has endorsed commitments to amplify support for local women’s organizations in conflict and humanitarian settings. This includes the UN Secretary-General’s New Agenda for Peace, which calls for donors to dedicate at least 1 per cent of official development assistance (ODA) in direct assistance to such organizations. However, despite several pledges by donors and the establishment of new mechanisms, funding for these organizations has dropped in recent years. This research paper interrogates why and provides a more precise assessment of aid flows to women’s organizations, the destination of these funds, potential missed opportunities, and recommendations on the way forward. It does so by reviewing existing donor funding strategies to support women’s organizations in fragile and conflict settings and methods of tracking assistance.
Human Rights
Brochure & Interactive map of implemented pledges: https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/brochures-and-leaflets/hr75-advancing-human-rights-through-global-pledges
The UN Human Rights initiative marking the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights spurred bold human rights pledges from governments, organizations, businesses, and advocates. This brochure highlights the pledges implemented in 2024.
https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/country-reports/impact-armed-conflict-and-occupation-childrens-rights-ukraine-24-february
Death, injury and lasting family separation are among the traumatic events that have upended the lives of Ukraine’s children in the three years since the Russian Federation launched its full-scale invasion, according to a UN Human Rights Office report released on 21 March 2025. Between 24 February 2022 and 31 December 2024, the UN Human Rights Office verified that 669 children were killed and 1,833 injured, many as a result of the extensive use of explosive weapons in populated areas. Of these, 521 were killed and 1,529 injured in territory controlled by Ukraine, and 148 were killed and 304 injured in currently occupied territory. The actual numbers are likely much higher.
The Interpretation and Application of International Humanitarian Law in Relation to Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems (UNIDIR)
https://tinyurl.com/2kzf46f9
This background paper summarizes publicly available views expressed by States, scholars and other experts participating in multilateral discussions on the applicability and interpretation of international humanitarian law (IHL) with respect to the development and use of lethal autonomous weapon systems (LAWS).
https://tinyurl.com/33mrb4r2
The data brief on Measuring Technology-facilitated Violence against Children in line with the ICVAC provides a deep dive into how the ICVAC can serve as an important tool for measuring violence facilitated by technology and advancing child protection efforts in an increasingly digital world.
English, French & Spanish: https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/tools-and-resources/monitoring-cases-gender-based-violence-toolkit
This OHCHR toolkit consists of (1) Key terminology, (2) Gathering information, (3) Interviewing victims, (4) Analyzing.
https://proveitmattersnow.com/
The United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Virginia Gamba, has launched ‘Prove It Matters’, a new global campaign calling for the urgent need to uphold the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and ensure that children’s voices are heard. The campaign urges Member States—especially those on the Children and Armed Conflict agenda—to publicly reaffirm their commitment to the CRC and take immediate steps to protect children’s fundamental rights to life, health, education, and safety. It also invites children worldwide, particularly those affected by conflict, to participate in a symbolic initiative and create origami doves to share their messages to the world. These origami doves will be collected throughout the year to form a giant collective art piece to be displayed at the United Nations in New York in 2026.
https://ukraine.unfpa.org/en/publications/voices-ukraine-pilot
This report offers an in-depth look at the experiences of women and girls affected by the ongoing war and at gender-based violence (GBV) in Ukraine. In 2024, the situation in Ukraine continued to deteriorate, with widespread insecurity and displacement throughout the country. As the number of persons in need continues to rise, women and girls and other marginalized groups find themselves even more vulnerable to risks of violence. Three years of war have eroded the coping capacities of women and girls, and GBV survivors face heightened barriers to access life-saving services and support.
https://ukraine.unfpa.org/en/publications/voices-ukraine-brief-2024
This advocacy brief amplifies the diverse voices of women and girls and provides a snapshot of GBV in Ukraine. It offers a closer look at the daily experiences and risks faced by women and girls in Ukraine and provides an overview of GBV trends. It outlines a series of recommendations for donors and policymakers, humanitarian sectors, and GBV actors to inform evidence-based humanitarian response. The brief urgently calls for increased investment in targeted GBV programming, including specialized services for survivors, along with a stronger focus on mitigating GBV risks and reducing access barriers within humanitarian interventions. It highlights the critical need for expanded and coordinated efforts to support women and girls in Ukraine and prevent, mitigate risks of, and respond to GBV.
Drug Control, Crime Prevention and Counter-terrorism
https://unicri.org/Publication-Green-Prisons-Guide-2025
This study is the result of a research initiative to examine how sustainable practices can be integrated into prison settings while supporting rehabilitation efforts. Drawing on global examples, it highlights practical and often cost-effective approaches that benefit both people in prison and the wider community. Sustainability initiatives in prisons should also be part of a broader strategy for penal reform – one that prioritises reducing the overuse of imprisonment while safeguarding the rights of people in prison.
https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/tools-and-resources/guidance-note-defining-terrorism-national-criminal-legislation
The present note aims to offer technical advice to OHCHR colleagues to inform their engagement with national authorities on defining terrorism in domestic criminal legal frameworks. The advice is based on existing international guidance, international human rights law principles, and lessons learned from the human rights impacts generated due to broad and vague definitions of terrorism.
Newsletter Archive: https://unric.org/en/unric-info-point-library-newsletter-archive