Rooted in the United Nations Charter and guided by the transformative 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) upholds the development pillar of the United Nations.

They bring the global community together to work towards common solutions to the world’s most pressing problems. They help countries translate their global commitments into national action in the economic, social and environmental spheres.

UN DESA is a pioneer of sustainable development and the home of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), where each goal finds its space and where all stakeholders can do their part to leave no one behind. They are a leading analytical voice for promoting inclusion, reducing inequalities and eradicating poverty, and a champion for tearing down the barriers that keep people in poverty.

UN DESA helps countries make informed decisions by providing a wealth of information through their publications and databases and through their support for international deliberations at the United Nations General Assembly, Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Commissions, Forums and other bodies.

Step by step, UN DESA works towards sustainable development for all.

Intergovernmental Support

By facilitating major global conferences and summits in the economic, social and environmental fields, as mandated by UN Member States, UN DESA assists countries as they find common ground, set norms, and take decisive steps forward.

Analysis

As the think tank of the UN, DESA, generates, analyses and compiles a wide range of economic, social and environmental data and statistics to inform and advise Member States and other stakeholders as they take stock of trends and policy options to tackle common problems.

Capacity Building

UN DESA‘s capacity-development work builds on its diverse analytical expertise and its unique access to networks of global experts, state-of-the-art knowledge and good practices on sustainable development.

In collaboration with its partners it develops innovative approaches, methodologies, models and analytical tools to address specific capacity gaps of countries and support implementation of the 2030 Agenda, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

UN DESA focuses on helping countries build capacities for:

• Coherent, evidence-based, and inclusive policymaking;
• Inclusive and integrated approaches and institutions, including through ICT and e-government solutions;
• Effective and accountable public administrations for service delivery;
• Social integration and inclusion of social groups;
• Sustainable use of natural resources, including sustainable forests;
• Domestic resource mobilization, including through International tax cooperation, promotion of social cooperatives, use of LDC-specific international support measures in the areas of trade and Official Development Assistance.

Where they work?

Their capacity development priorities are guided by a set of principles that account for the Department’s mandates, goals and objectives, comparative advantage and opportunities to partner with other development actors. High priority is always given to the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and countries emerging from conflict.