Reduced Inequalities

Hate speech is spreading faster and further than ever before as a result of social media user growth and the rise of populism. Both online and offline, hate speech targets people and groups based on who they are. It has the potential to ignite and fuel violence, spawn violent extremist ideologies, including atrocity crimes and genocide. It discriminates and infringes on individual and collective human rights and undermines social cohesion. Education can play a central role in countering hateful narratives and the emergence of group-targeted violence. This policy guide developed by UNESCO and the United Nations’ Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect explores these educational responses and provides guidance and recommendations to policy-makers on how to strengthen education systems to counter hate speech.

This study investigated women’s participation in the economy and trade by distinguishing between women’s different economic roles as workers and entrepreneurs/business owners, and between different economic sectors such as agriculture, industry, and services. Specifically, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) carried out a qualitative analysis of women’s participation in the economy and in trade in selected subsectors of the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) during April-May 2022. The olive oil sector was selected from agriculture due to its major role in Palestinian society and women’s significant participation in this sector. The food products sector was selected from industry because it is traditionally a major sector in which women are highly involved. Finally, the information and communications technology (ICT) sector was selected from services due to its significant potential for future growth prospects and women’s employment in the OPT.

Food security, water security, environmental security and livelihood security are all affected by climate change and can influence mobility patterns. In 2022, we have witnessed the combined impacts of climate change and food insecurity, and the proliferation of acute situations across the world, leading to disruption in food supply chain and rising prices of grain, fertilizer and energy. This has resulted in compounded risks for communities already under severe stress, especially in low-income countries, and lead to protracted displacement and increased humanitarian needs. These situations call for longer-term development, adaptation and disaster risk reduction policies to avert and minimize displacement, strengthen the resilience of migrants and communities and promote sustainable societies and livelihoods.

Persons with disabilities face numerous barriers that restrict their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. This publication illustrates the need for increased investment in accessibility and lays out foundational concepts and terminologies related to disability and accessibility, provides an understanding of the key areas in which to invest in order to promote accessibility, and examines the drivers for governments and other stakeholders to invest in accessibility. It also analyzes the status of disability-inclusive development and accessibility investment across the region, and presents case studies and good practices of investing in accessibility.

Este manual brinda orientación y asistencia a los países para ayudarlos a diseñar estratégicamente y llevar a cabo actividades de comunicación medibles y basadas en evidencia para el desarrollo en apoyo de un programa integral de mejora de los sistemas de registro civil, estadísticas vitales y gestión de identidad. Es la primera revisión de la publicación original emitida en 1998.

The 2023 UNHCR Refugee Education Report draws on data from more than 70 countries worldwide to provide the most detailed picture yet of the state of refugee education and enrolment. Its findings reveal that despite areas of progress, more than half of the world’s 14.8 million school-aged refugee children remain out of formal education, risking their future prosperity and denying them the chance to fulfil their potential.

This publication identifies definitions and conceptualisations of social cohesion, specifically for the purposes of national statistical offices, and covers ongoing debates concerning defining social cohesion, the breadth of the concept, and its multi-dimensional nature. The publication concludes that national statistical offices can benefit from approaches that satisfy their specific context and should avoid an overly encompassing definition of social cohesion that can undermine its analytical value. The publication also provides several implications for the operationalisation of the concept by national statistical organisations and outlines a number of methodological priorities of interest.

This report makes clear that there is a path to end AIDS. Taking that path will help ensure preparedness to address other pandemic challenges, and advance progress across the Sustainable Development Goals. The data and real-world examples in the report make it very clear what that path is. It is not a mystery. It is a choice. Some leaders are already following the path—and succeeding. It is inspiring to note that Botswana, Eswatini, Rwanda, the United Republic of Tanzania and Zimbabwe have already achieved the 95–95–95 targets, and at least 16 other countries (including eight in sub-Saharan Africa) are close to doing so. HIV responses succeed when they are anchored in strong political leadership to follow the evidence; to tackle the inequalities holding back progress; to enable communities and civil society organizations in their vital roles in the response; and to ensure sufficient and sustainable funding. This report describes in detail how countries that put people and communities first in their policies and programmes are already leading the world on the journey to end AIDS by 2030.

The Trade and Development Report 2023 analyses current economic trends and major policy issues of international concern and makes suggestions for addressing these issues at various levels. The report warns that the global economy is stalling, with growth slowing in most regions compared with last year and only a few countries bucking the trend. The global economy is at a crossroads, where divergent growth paths, widening inequalities, growing market concentration and mounting debt burdens cast shadows on the future. The prospect of meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 is fading as a combination of rising interest rates, weakening currencies and slowing export growth squeezes the fiscal space needed for governments to fight climate change and provide for their people. The report calls for a change in policy direction – including by leading central banks – and accompanying institutional reforms promised during the COVID-19 crisis to avert a lost decade. It urges global financial reforms, more pragmatic policies to tackle inflation, inequality and sovereign debt distress, and stronger oversight of key markets. The report proposes actions to get the global economy moving in the right direction by using a balanced policy mix of fiscal, monetary and supply-side measures to achieve financial stability, boost productive investment and create better jobs.

El presente informe forma parte de la labor en curso del Programa de la UNODC para Salvaguardar el Deporte de la Corrupción y el Delito a fin de reforzar la lucha contra la corrupción en el deporte, llevada a cabo en cooperación con diversos asociados, entre ellos el Comité Olímpico Internacional, y es el resultado de una reunión organizada al margen del décimo período de sesiones de la Conferencia de los Estados Parte en la Convención de las Naciones Unidas contra la Corrupción, celebrada en Atlanta, Estados Unidos de América. Partiendo de una visión general de los dos eventos, con especial atención a su escala y huella geográfica, y el panorama de los riesgos de corrupción en el deporte, en el que se destacan los riesgos relacionados con los grandes eventos deportivos, se examinan en detalle las amenazas específicas relacionadas con la corrupción para la Copa Mundial de la FIFA 2026 y los Juegos Olímpicos de Verano de 2028 en Los Ángeles, a la vez de compartir buenas prácticas para mitigar los riesgos relacionados con los grandes eventos deportivos.

This report examines the widespread use of forced labour in and by the Democratic People’sRepublic of Korea, which is a serious violation of international human rights law and, in someinstances, may constitute a crime against humanity of enslavement under international criminallaw. The report outlines the DPRK’s extensive reliance on forced labour for the production of goods, for public works, and for foreign currency earnings, in violation of its international human rights obligations. Forced labour also acts as a form of political coercion, as the labour is systematically coupled with indoctrination and self-criticism sessions seeking to subdue and reaffirm absolute obedience to the political system and its leadership. The report demonstrates that the wide-ranging network of forced labour touches nearly everyone’s lives, including military conscripts, workers in State enterprises, school children on “work trips”, persons deployed to “Shock Brigades”, detainees in the country’s prisons and labour camps, those mobilized by their inminban (local neighbourhood watch units) and organizations such as the Women’s Union and Youth League, and overseas workers. The work for men and women and sometimes children typically involves construction, farming, logging and mining which is often hard, arduous and dangerous.

The Social Outlook is a flagship ESCAP publication produced every two years with a dedicated focus on social development issues in Asia and the Pacific. In 2022, under the theme of “The Workforce We Need”, the Social Outlook focuses on building a healthy, protected and productive workforce in Asia and the Pacific to achieve inclusive and sustainable development and build back better after COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the presence of four key megatrends including climate change, ageing, digitalization and rising inequalities which has already prompted green, demographic and digital transitions that are altering the future world of work. Through its analysis, the Social Outlook aims to strengthen the evidence base and build capacity of policymakers on how to design and expand social protection, active labour market policies and health systems to achieve a resilient workforce today and in the future. The Report is structured along six chapters. Chapter 1 sets the latest social development context in the region highlighting the need for deepening solidarity and rebuilding trust to implement the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development. Next, Chapters 2-4 delve into three components of a resilient workforce, namely a healthy, productive, and protected workforce and emphasize the role of such a workforce in inclusive and sustainable development. Chapter 5 discusses policy recommendations for attaining such a workforce in Asia and the Pacific and proposes the renewal of the social contract which can put the region on a path for breakthrough and prosperity. Chapter 6 concludes.

The Plan of Action provides methodological guidance to develop a comprehensive human rights education strategy for young people at the national level that supports youth empowerment, participation and inclusion. It addresses governments, national human rights institutions and civil society organizations, including youth movements and networks, as well as education practitioners. Member States adopted the Plan of Action to guide implementation of the second phase (2010-2014) of the World Programme for Human Rights Education (2005-ongoing), proclaimed by the General Assembly in 2004 and structured in consecutive phases, each focusing on a specific target sector or thematic area.

The Plan of Action provides methodological guidance to develop a comprehensive human rights education strategy for young people at the national level that supports youth empowerment, participation and inclusion. It addresses governments, national human rights institutions and civil society organizations, including youth movements and networks, as well as education practitioners. Member States adopted the Plan of Action to guide implementation of the first phase (2005-2009) of the World Programme for Human Rights Education (2005-ongoing), proclaimed by the General Assembly in 2004 and structured in consecutive phases, each focusing on a specific target sector or thematic area.

Le Plan d'action fournit des orientations méthodologiques pour élaborer une stratégie globale d'éducation aux droits de l'homme pour les jeunes au niveau national qui soutient l'autonomisation, la participation et l'inclusion des jeunes. Il s'adresse aux gouvernements, aux institutions nationales des droits de l'homme et aux organisations de la société civile, y compris les mouvements et réseaux de jeunesse, ainsi qu'aux praticiens de l'éducation. Les États membres ont adopté le Plan d'action pour guider la mise en œuvre de la première phase (2005-2009) du Programme mondial en faveur de l’éducation aux droits de l’homme (2005-en cours), proclamé par l'Assemblée générale en 2004 et structuré en phases consécutives, chacune se concentrant sur un secteur cible ou domaine thématique spécifique.

The Plan of Action provides methodological guidance to develop a comprehensive human rights education strategy for young people at the national level that supports youth empowerment, participation and inclusion. It addresses governments, national human rights institutions and civil society organizations, including youth movements and networks, as well as education practitioners. Member States adopted the Plan of Action to guide implementation of the second phase (2010-2014) of the World Programme for Human Rights Education (2005-ongoing), proclaimed by the General Assembly in 2004 and structured in consecutive phases, each focusing on a specific target sector or thematic area.

El Plan de Acción proporciona orientación metodológica para desarrollar una estrategia integral de educación en derechos humanos para los jóvenes a nivel nacional que apoye el empoderamiento, la participación y la inclusión de los jóvenes. Se dirige a gobiernos, instituciones nacionales de derechos humanos y organizaciones de la sociedad civil, incluidos movimientos y redes de jóvenes, así como a profesionales de la educación. Los Estados Miembros adoptaron el Plan de Acción para guiar la implementación de la primera etapa (2005-2009) del Programa mundial para la educación en derechos humanos (2005-en curso), proclamado por la Asamblea General en 2004 y estructurado en fases consecutivas, cada una de las cuales se centra en un sector objetivo específico o área temática.

The Plan of Action provides methodological guidance to develop a comprehensive human rights education strategy for young people at the national level that supports youth empowerment, participation and inclusion. It addresses governments, national human rights institutions and civil society organizations, including youth movements and networks, as well as education practitioners. Member States adopted the Plan of Action to guide implementation of the second phase (2010-2014) of the World Programme for Human Rights Education (2005-ongoing), proclaimed by the General Assembly in 2004 and structured in consecutive phases, each focusing on a specific target sector or thematic area.

The Trade and Development Report 2022 analyses current economic trends and major policy issues of international concern, and makes suggestions for addressing these issues at various levels. This year report emphasizes that structural imbalances and inequalities in the global macroeconomic environment have grown since the global financial crisis and have intensified further with the Covid-19 pandemic. With less than a decade to meet the Agenda 2030, the Trade and Development Report 2022 finds that current policy trends could imperil the progress of developing countries towards inclusive and sustainable development. While improved policy coordination is needed at the multilateral level to better address the vulnerabilities facing developing countries, scaling up and strengthening regional arrangements can also help widen the opportunities from closer economic integration.

This year’s UNHCR Education Report focuses in particular on secondary education – the crucial yet critically under-resourced stage for refugees towards greater independence and improved prospects in life. Each year, our methodology for the Education Report is improved, though this by itself can cause some fluctuations in the statistics. This year, the number of countries reporting data on refugee education has risen to more than 40, providing a fuller picture than in years past. The total refugee population for reporting countries was 12.65 million, which constitutes more than half of the combined refugee population and Venezuelans displaced abroad under UNHCR’s mandate.

In 2022, the Maternal and Newborn Health Thematic Fund (MHTF) continued to provide tailored and catalytic support with the overall goal of ensuring that every woman, adolescent girl and newborn has equitable and accountable access to quality sexual, reproductive, maternal and newborn health and rights. It did so by strengthening health systems in 32 countries with high maternal morbidity and mortality spanning five regions: the Arab States, Asia and the Pacific, East and Southern Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and West and Central Africa. Furthermore, the sixth UNFPA region, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, received catalytic resources for midwifery needs assessments. Through the MHTF, UNFPA remains committed to delivering integrated sexual, reproductive, maternal and newborn health services, aiming to achieve its three transformative results by 2030.

This study, which focuses on trade and gender linkages and their impact on women’s entrepreneurship in Indonesia, forms part of UNCTAD’s teaching material on trade and gender. The aim of this capacity-building initiative is to promote the capacity of policymakers, civil society organizations, academics, and other stakeholders to examine the interaction between trade and gender and develop gender-responsive policies. Section 2 of the report gives an overview of socioeconomic and gender profiles, and section 3 presents the trade structure of Indonesia. Section 4 examines the impact of Indonesia’s trade flows and trade policy on women’s economic empowerment and entrepreneurship, with a focus on selected case studies from each broad economic sector, namely the oil palm sector from agriculture, the wearing apparel and furniture sectors from industry, and the tourism, wellness, creative economy, and banking sectors from services. These sectors are either major exporters or key sectors of the domestic economy in which women are concentrated, and they are all priority sectors for the government. Section 4 also discusses women entrepreneurs in e-commerce as an emerging area of interest for trade and female entrepreneurship. Section 5 delves into trade policy. It analyses the gender and trade nexus in Indonesia, international good practices, and country examples of economies similar to Indonesia. On that basis, the section proposes a roadmap to use trade and related policies to support women’s economic empowerment and entrepreneurship. Section 6 summarizes the main findings of the report and presents a policy implementation framework.

This publication, an update of the initial Policy covering the years 2016-2020, is a response to the compelling challenges to gender equality in the ECE region. Together with its tool for implementation – the UNECE Gender Action Plan (GAP) – the Policy has been a key driver of accountability and improved results on gender equality and the empowerment of women in UNECE. The updated Policy continues to provide the directions of the organization for gender-related work in line with the framework of the United Nations System-Wide Action Plan on Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-SWAP). It aims at further strengthening the reflection of gender issues in the substantive work of UNECE’s sub-programmes, improving accountability, monitoring and reporting, building capacity, changing the organizational culture and achieving gender parity of staff.

Cashew nuts enjoy increasing popularity all around the globe. The top three cashew-consuming countries – India, the United States of America and Germany - lie on three different continents. Cashews accounted for 17 per cent of world tree nut production in 2019/20, making it the third most popular tree nut after almonds and walnuts (INC 2020). Cashew nuts are consumed in a variety of forms including as salty or sweet snacks, ingredient of desserts and savory dishes, or further processed into cashew butter or ingredient of a variety of spreads, sauces, bars, and drinks. Rising demand for these products has led global cashew production to more than double between 2000 and 2018 (see Chapter 3). This report takes stock of the global cashew market and gives an overview of cashew production, trade patterns and policies. It also highlights opportunities for the cashew sector to foster value addition and diversification in cashew-growing countries, and its potential contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

As the pandemic forced governments to improvise responses, UN Women moved quickly to collect data on how COVID-19 was impacting women and men to inform decision-making. Since March 2020, rapid gender assessments on the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 were conducted in at least 58 countries. They focused on five areas of concern: 1) economic activities and resources; 2) unpaid domestic and care work; 3) access to goods and services, 4) emotional and physical wellbeing; and 5) relief measures. The surveys confirmed that women and men are experiencing the pandemic differently. The findings have since been used to inform critical gender-responsive policies and recovery plans to build back better. This report summarizes survey findings across the 5 areas of concern, highlighting where the gaps are and where the data has already had an impact.