Books

This is the annual report submitted to the General Assembly by the Disarmament Commission for 2024.

The 2024 Orange Book of Results features more than 600 immediate results achieved by UNFPA at the country level in implementing the country programmes in 2024. These results were achieved in close collaboration with governments and other partners including civil society organizations. The publication reflects the accountability of UNFPA for achieving results and can be used as a learning tool.

The State of Commodity Dependence provides a bird’s eye view of commodity dependence in the world. It contains individual statistical profiles for the 195 UNCTAD member States, each comprising of 30 indicators under 4 subtitles - merchandise and commodity export dependence, commodity import dependence, key socio-economic indicators, and indicators on technology. As commodity dependence tends to negatively affect poverty alleviation and food security, a set of indicators is included to help monitor trends in these areas. For each individual member State, 2008-2009 is used as the historical reference period. Moreover, an in-depth analysis of commodity dependence in the 195 UNCTAD member States is presented at the beginning of the report with key messages.

The 3rd edition of the Annual Digest of the Social Protection Reforms in the Arab Region documents 135 policy reforms through various means and sources, including automatic news monitoring and direct inputs from policymakers of ESCWA member States. These reforms indicate significant efforts by Governments to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of national social protection systems. The relative decrease in the number of observed reforms compared to previous years does not imply that Governments’ commitment to social protection has diminished. On the contrary, it signals a transition from temporary, shock-responsive measures to generally more long-term, systemic overhauls of systems and/or adaptation of programmes aimed at providing sustainable protection against life-cycle risks. The changing social protection landscape in the Arab region reflects an increasing commitment among many Arab countries to invest in the welfare of their citizens. Governments are continuously adapting their social protection policies and programmes to evolving societal needs and economic conditions.

This revised edition of the Manual forms part of OHCHR’s updated “Human Rights and Law Enforcement Guidance and Training Package”. The training package also includes a Training Guide on Human Rights for Law Enforcement Officials and an Expanded Pocketbook on Human Rights for Law Enforcement Officials, in addition to presentation slides corresponding to each chapter of the Manual. The Manual provides in-depth information on key instruments, principles and standards for human rights in law enforcement. It explains the application of human rights standards and their implications in law enforcement practice and provides practical recommendations for law enforcement institutions and agencies. The Manual consists of 21 chapters, which are divided into four parts. Each chapter provides the reader with the normative framework of the subject matter and a thorough explanation of the application of the respective principles and standards in law enforcement work.

Le manuel ABC – L’enseignement des droits de l’homme se veut un instrument d’éducation aux droits de l’homme facile à utiliser et qui propose une large palette d’activités correspondant aux droits fondamentaux. Il offre des conseils pratiques aux enseignants et aux professionnels de l’éducation qui souhaitent sensibiliser les enfants scolarisés dans le primaire et le secondaire à la question des droits de l’homme et formule des propositions pour élaborer des activités d’apprentissage. Il ne s’agit nullement d’alourdir des programmes déjà bien chargés, mais d’aider à intégrer la problématique des droits de l’homme dans les matières déjà enseignées.

El Informe sobre comercio y desarrollo 2024 pronostica un crecimiento mundial del producto interno bruto del 2,7 % para 2024 y 2025, lo que marca tres años consecutivos por debajo de la tendencia de crecimiento del 3 % anterior a la pandemia. A nivel regional, Asia meridional muestra el crecimiento más dinámico. Las tres principales potencias de la economía mundial (China, los Estados Unidos de América y la Unión Europea) se encuentran en trayectorias de crecimiento desaceleradas o debilitadas. A pesar del contexto de una revolución tecnológica acelerada, la tan necesaria aceleración de la actividad económica para alcanzar los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible sigue siendo difícil de alcanzar para muchos países del Sur global atrapados por una confluencia de altas cargas de deuda, salidas financieras y de recursos, inversión débil y austeridad forzada. Solo 1 de los 46 países menos adelantados está cumpliendo actualmente la promesa de una meta de crecimiento anual del 7 % en el marco de los Objetivos mundiales.

In 2025, the global prevalence of obesity among school-age children and adolescents exceeded underweight for the first time. This dramatic shift in the face of malnutrition jeopardizes the health and future potential of children, communities and nations.  The 2025 Child Nutrition Report – ‘Feeding Profit: How food environments are failing children’ – reveals how unhealthy food environments are contributing to the worldwide surge in overweight and obesity in children and adolescents. The report presents the latest data on the status, trends and inequities in overweight and obesity among children and adolescents worldwide. It describes how food environments expose children and adolescents to a constant supply of cheap and aggressively marketed ultra-processed foods and sugary drinks, while failing to make nutritious options available and affordable. It also explains how the lack of effective policies leaves countries unprepared to safeguard children and adolescents from these harmful food environments. Drawing from recent examples of countries that have made extraordinary progress, the report presents recommendations to transform children’s food environments.

La Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL) ha manifestado en diversas ocasiones que las tecnologías de la información y las comunicaciones (TIC) no son por sí mismas la respuesta para alcanzar la eficiencia y la eficacia del sistema público, sino que hay que considerar otros elementos clave para el logro de los objetivos. Es así como se ha venido insistiendo en la importancia de los elementos institucionales, culturales, normativos, técnicos, de organización y de liderazgo que contribuyan a consolidar el desarrollo digital de los Gobiernos. Para ello, es imprescindible contar con un modelo robusto y aplicado de gobernanza digital, como se presenta en esta guía, que permita realizar las transformaciones necesarias, tanto en el ámbito de la provisión de servicios públicos como del avance en materia de innovación y desarrollo productivo.

Health and social support systems are essential to human dignity and social well-being. In times of war and conflict, the importance of a care economy intensifies, serving as both a lifeline and a catalyst for recovery and development. Wars often disrupt care systems, increasing the needs of vulnerable populations and placing heavy burdens on caregivers and health workers. Despite their essential role, caregiving services and support systems are frequently overlooked in policy responses to conflict. Rebuilding and strengthening this infrastructure are crucial for recovery. This includes restoring access to healthcare, psychosocial support and daily assistance, while also supporting those who provide these services, many of whom need support themselves. Displaced individuals should be recognized not only as recipients of care but also as active contributors to national relief and rebuilding efforts. Protecting health-care workers is equally vital to ensure that essential services continue during and after crises. By placing health and social support systems at the centre of recovery strategies, Governments can promote sustainable and inclusive rebuilding.