International Day of Epidemic Preparedness 2022; December 27th.

FORUM: Stand with our efforts to ensure the world is equipped and ready to take on the health challenges to come. International Day of Epidemic Preparedness 2022.

It is important to strengthen epidemic prevention by applying lessons learned on epidemic management and how to prevent the stoppage of basic services, and to raise the level of preparedness in order to have the earliest and most adequate response to any epidemic that may arise, and recognizing also the value of an integrated One Health approach that fosters integration of human health, animal health and plant health, as well as environmental and other relevant sectors. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #EpidemicPreparedness, #27December, #InternationalDayofEpidemicPreparedness.

Statement by the United Nations Secretary General on the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness 2022.

Three years ago this month, the virus that causes COVID-19 was first detected.

The costs have been catastrophic. Millions of lives have been lost, and hundreds of millions of people have fallen ill. Economies were shattered, health systems were stretched, and trillions of dollars were lost. Progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals has been thrown off track. And developing countries were often left to fend for themselves, shamefully denied the vaccines, tests or treatments they needed to protect their people.

COVID-19 will not be the last epidemic or pandemic humanity faces. As a global community, we must heed the harsh lessons of COVID-19 and make bold investments in pandemic preparedness, prevention and response.

We need better surveillance to detect and monitor viruses with epidemic potential. We need more resilient health systems supported by universal health coverage. And we need a health workforce that is well-trained, well-equipped and well-paid.

We also need equitable access to vaccines, treatments, diagnostics and life-saving technology for all countries.

And we must fight the scourge of misinformation and pseudoscience with science and fact-based information.

A pandemic cannot be fought country by country. The world must come together. COVID-19 was a wake-up call.

On this International Day of Epidemic Preparedness, I urge all countries to stand with our efforts to ensure the world is equipped and ready to take on the health challenges to come.

António Guterres.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED!

International cooperation and multilateralism play an important role in the response to epidemics. We need to stress the significance of partnership and solidarity among every individual, community and State, and regional and international organizations, in all stages of epidemic management, as well as the importance of considering a gender perspective in this regard.

EVENTS: Join the Webinar to mark the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness 2022 on December 27th

International Human Solidarity Day 2022; December 20th.

FORUM: “Pursue efforts to build solidarity within the international community.’’ International Human Solidarity Day 2022. Human solidarity on a global scale would be needed to combat poverty and starvation, conflict, and environmental degradation causing climate change, as these ills have consequences for the entire world. Disease and epidemics were destroying the most productive groups in society. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #SolidarityDay, #20December, #HumanSolidarityDay, #TheWorldWeWant, #PromotingSolidarity , #LeaveNoOneBehind.

EVENTS: On December 20th, the United Nations system organizations will hold an event and workhops to celebrate unity, kindness, and diversity during the International Human Solidarity Day 2022 at the UNHQ.

PUBLICATION: The Sustainable Development Goals Progress Chart 2022 presents a snapshot of global and regional progress of selected targets under the 17 Goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The progress assessment is based on the most up-to-date data and for some of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) also reflect the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to data collection challenges related to pandemic-related measures, measuring the full impact of COVID-19 is limited for the other Goals. The Progress Chart 2022 clearly demonstrates the deterioration of progress towards many targets, such as poverty, food security, ending the epidemic of malaria, immunization coverage, and employment, caused by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and conflict. Recent cascading crises have magnified the challenges of achieving the SDGs. Urgent, scaled-up and coordinated actions by all countries are needed to accelerate SDG implementation and avert the devastating impacts in order to get on track and chart a course for better recovery. The progress chart presents two types of information: 

1) a trend assessment using stoplight colours to measure progress towards the target (from a baseline year to the most recent data point), and

2) a level assessment using a gauge meter to measure the current level of development with respect to the distance from a target, using the latest data. The chart is based on a limited number of indicators and information available as of June 2022. For most of the indicators, the latest available data are from 2019 to 2021. A baseline year of around 2015 or 2010 is used for the trend assessment.

2022 Progress towards SDG1, SDG2, SDG3.

2022 Progress towards SDG4, SDG5, SDG6.

2022 Progress towards SDG7 SDG8, SDG9, SDG10.

2022 Progress towards SDG11 SDG12, SDG13, SDG14 and SDG15.

2022 Progress towards SDG16 and SDG17.

Notes * The category “Pacific island countries” refers to Oceania excluding Australia and New Zealand. The category “developed countries” includes Europe, Northern America, Australia and New Zealand.

 1 The latest data used for both trend and level assessments are 2021 nowcasts with high uncertainty. 

2 Due to improvement in data quality and availability, 2020 estimates for Northern Africa and Western Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Pacific Island Countries are not comparable with baseline values. Only level assessments are available for these regions. 

3 Trend assessment uses a baseline year of 2012. 

4 Level assessment is based on 2020 data, with five levels of stunting prevalence: very high (1 bar), high (2 bars), moderate (3 bars), low (4 bars), and very low (5 bars). 

5 Trend assessment uses a baseline year of 2011. 

6 Trend assessment uses a baseline year of 2010. 

7 Trend assessment is based on the WHO Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016–2030, which is reducing malaria case incidence by at least 90 per cent by 2030. Level assessment is classified into five levels of malaria case incidence: very high (1 bar), high (2 bars), moderate (3 bars), low (4 bars), and target achieved (5 bars). 

8 Assessment for “developed countries” refers to Europe and Northern America only. 

9 Level assessment is based on the level of energy intensity, with five levels: high (1 bar), medium-high (2 bars), medium (3 bars), medium-low (4 bars), and low (5 bars). 

10 Baseline value is the average annual growth rate of real GDP per capita from 2000 to 2015. The level assessment is based on the average annual real GDP per capita growth from 2015 to 2020. The trend assessment is the comparison of the expected average annual growth rate of real GDP per capita from 2015 to 2030 with the baseline value or target value of 2 per cent. 

11 Assessment is based on the Gini Index. The latest data is from 2019. Level assessment is classified into five levels of inequality: very high (1 bar), high (2 bars), moderately high (3 bars), moderately low (4 bars), and low (5 bars). 

12 Assessment is only at the global level. 

13 Assessment for “developed countries” refers to Europe only. 

14 Level and trend assessment are based on the Red List Index and regional disaggregations of the index. 

15 Level assessment is classified into five levels of unsentenced detainees rate: very high (1 bar), high (2 bars), moderate (3 bars), low (4 bars), and very low (5 bars).. 

16 Trend assessment is based on progress from 2017 to 2020. 

For regional groupings, country data and technical note for the progress chart, please refer to: https://unstats.un.org/sdgs. Country experiences in each region may differ significantly from the regional average. Due to updated data and revised methodologies, this Progress Chart is not comparable with previous versions.

Sources. United Nations, based on the latest available data and estimates as of June 2022: provided by: Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Energy Agency (IEA), International Labour Organization (ILO), Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Organization for Economic and Cooperation and Development (OECD), Partnership in Statistics for Development in the 21st Century (PARIS21), Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Human Settlements Programme( UN-Habitat), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), World Bank Group, World Health Organization (WHO).

International Migrants Day 2022; December 12th.

FORUM: “Migration and inclusive societies.” International Migrants Day 2022. Understanding changes in scale, emerging trends and shifting demographics related to global social and economic transformations, such as migration, help us make sense of the changing world we live in and plan for the future. The World Migration Report 2022, the eleventh in the world migration report series, has been produced to contribute to an increased understanding of migration throughout the world. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #InternationalMigrantsDay, #18December, #MigrantsDay, #safeMigration, #RegularMigration, #OrderlyMigration.

Statement by the United Nations Secretary General on International Migrants Day 2022; December 18th.

On this International Migrants Day, we reflect on the lives of the over 280 million people who left their country in the universal pursuit of opportunity, dignity, freedom, and a better life.

Today, over 80 per cent of the world’s migrants cross borders in a safe and orderly fashion.

This migration is a powerful driver of economic growth, dynamism, and understanding.

But unregulated migration along increasingly perilous routes – the cruel realm of traffickers – continues to extract a terrible cost.

Over the past eight years, at least 51,000 migrants have died – and thousands more have disappeared.

Behind each number is a human being – a sister, brother, daughter, son, mother, or father.

Migrant rights are human rights. They must be respected without discrimination – and irrespective of whether their movement is forced, voluntary, or formally authorized.

We must do everything possible to prevent the loss of life – as a humanitarian imperative and a moral and legal obligation.

We must provide for search and rescue efforts and medical care.

We must expand and diversify rights-based pathways for migration – to advance the Sustainable Development Goals and address labour market shortages.

And we need greater international support for investments in countries of origin to ensure migration is a choice, not a necessity.

There is no migration crisis; there is a crisis of solidarity.

Today and every day, let us safeguard our common humanity and secure the rights and dignity of all.

United Nations Secretary-General.

Statement by the IOM Director-General on International Migrants Day 2022; December 18th.

CAMPAIGN: Reflect on the lives of the over 280 million people who left their country in the universal pursuit of opportunity, dignity, freedom, and a better life. 

EVENTS: On December 18th, the UN Migration, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants will host a webinar to mark the International Migrants Day 2022 from the IOM Headquater in Switzerland.

PUBLICATION: The World Migration Report 2022 presents data, statistics and research on migration, global economic and social shifts and policy about human mobility. Interactive World Migration Report 2022.

Let us mark the International Migrants Day on December 18th by acknowledging the contributions of migrant workers and committing to provide a remedy for all those who faced abuses and fell through the cracks.

Arabic Language Day 2022; December 18th.

FORUM: “The Contribution of the Arabic Language to Human Civilization and Culture. “ Arabic Language Day 2022. Through this year’s theme UNESCO will shed a light on the numerous contributions of Arabic to humanity’s cultural and linguistic diversity, as well as to knowledge production. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #ArabicLanguageDay, #18December, #Arabiclanguage, #Multilingualism.

EVENTS: To celebrate World Arabic Language Day 2022, UNESCO organizes round table discussions and cultural performances at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on 16 December 2022. Applicants to the Prize for Arab culture must have contributed significantly towards the development, dissemination and the promotion of Arab culture in the world.The winners of the UNESCO-Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture will be announced.

WEBINARS:

GEOTSIRAR: Towards Strong Alliances in the Arab and African Countries on 17 November 2022 - 3:45 pm - 4:45 pm.


Knowledge for Youth-Led Climate Action in the Arab Region and youth-driven policy recommendations for Community-led Action on 17 November 2022 from 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm in Egypt.


Dialogue for Conservation Finance - A new paradigm to landscape restoration in the Arab Region on 16 November 2022 from 11:45 am - 1:15 pm. in Egypt.


Launch of CRIDA in French and Arabic; 14 November 2022 - 3:45 pm - 14 November 2022 - 4:45 pm in Egypt.

International Day of Neutrality 2022; December 12th.

FORUM: “Encouraging respect for neutrality as an instrument of preventive diplomacy.” International Day of Neutrality 2022. Neutralism or a "neutralist policy" is a foreign policy position wherein a state intends to remain neutral in future wars. A sovereign state that reserves the right to become a belligerent if attacked by a party to the war is in a condition of armed neutrality. Neutrality has for decades dovetailed with “international activism” and the articulation of international law and collective action. The policy of neutrality contributes to strengthening global peace and security and plays an important role in forging peaceful, friendly and mutually beneficial relations between the countries of the world. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #PreventiveDiplomacy, #NeutralityDay, #12December, #NeutralistPolicy, #Neutralism.

                  

EVENTS: On December 12th, the United Nations General Assembly, the United Nations Security Council, and the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs will observe the International Day of Neutrality 2022 at UNHQ.

International Universal Health Coverage Day 2022; December 12th.

FORUM: “Build the world we want: A healthy future for all.” International Universal Health Coverage Day 2022. To build a safer and healthier future for all, we must strengthen our health systems to ensure they are equitable, resilient, and capable of meeting everyone’s needs. Governments, international organisations, civil society organisations, the private sector, academia, and media are encouraged to use this year’s theme to keep holding leaders, our health systems and ourselves accountable to the promise of health for all. Everyone, everywhere deserves access to quality health services, in times of crisis and calm. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #Healthexpenditure, #InvestinHealth, #healthForAll, #UHC, #12December, #UHCday, #UniversalHealthCoverage.

EVENTS: The 3rd Annual Ministerial Meeting of the Group of Friends of Universal Health Coverage and Global Health. was held in September 2022 under the theme “Investing in Health Systems Strengthening for Universal Health Coverage through a Primary Health Care-Oriented Approach.” 

On Decembe 12th, the World Health Assembly (WHA), the Regional offices of the World Health Organization and the Global Health Council with host an event to mark the International Universal Health Coverage Day 2022.

International Mountains Day 2022; December 11th.

FORUM: "Women move mountains" International Mountain Day 2022. Women play a key role in environmental protection and social and economic development in mountain areas. They are often the primary managers of mountain resources, guardians of biodiversity, keepers of traditional knowledge, custodians of local culture and experts in traditional medicine. The observance of the Day will give us the opportunity raise awareness about the need to empower mountain women so they can participate more effectively in decision-making processes and have more control over productive resources. By sharing excellence, opportunities and capacity development in mountains, the Day can promote gender equality and therefore contribute to improve social justice, livelihoods and resilience. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #MountainMatter, #InternationalMountainDay, #11December, #IYM2022.

EVENTS: Every year, a large number of events – from group hikes and outdoor activities, to exhibitions, cultural performances, contests and concerts – are organized across the world to celebrate Mountains. While “Women move mountains” is the suggested theme for IMD 2022, countries, communities and organizations are welcome to celebrate International Mountain Day through a theme that is more relevant to them. The Roadmap to observe 2025 as International year of Glaciers Will approved by UNGA soon.




STATEMENTS: United Nations Secretary-General's message on the Launch of the International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development 2022.

Join the READING MOUNTAINS FESTIVAL

Human Rights Day 2022; December 10th.

 FORUM: ''Dignity, Freedom and Justice for All'' Human Rights Day 2022.

In the decades since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, human rights have become more recognised and more guaranteed across the globe. It has since served as the foundation for an expanding system of human rights protection that today focuses also on vulnerable groups such as persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and migrants. However, the promise of the UDHR, of dignity and equality in rights, has been under a sustained assault in recent years. As the world faces challenges new and ongoing – pandemics, conflicts, exploding inequalities, morally bankrupt global financial system, racism, climate change – the values, and rights enshrined in the UDHR provide guideposts for our collective actions that do not leave anyone behind. The year-long campaign seeks to shift the needle of understanding and action towards greater knowledge of the universality of the UDHR and the activism associated with it. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #10December, #HumanRightsDay,#StandUp4HumanRights, #UDHR75.

Statement by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, on Human Rights Day 2022; December 10th. 

"The world is facing unprecedented and interlocking challenges to human rights. Hunger and poverty are increasing – an affront to the economic and social rights of hundreds of millions of people. Civic space is shrinking. Media freedom and the safety of journalists are in dangerous decline in almost every region of the world. Trust in institutions is evaporating, especially among young people. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased levels of violence against women and girls. Racism, intolerance and discrimination are running rampant. New human rights challenges are emerging from the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. And we are only beginning to grasp the threat posed to human rights by some new technologies. These trying times call for a reignition of our commitment to all human rights - civil, cultural, economic, political and social. The Call to Action I launched in 2020 positions human rights at the centre of solutions to the challenges we face. This vision is reflected in my report on Our Common Agenda, which calls for a renewed social contract, anchored in human rights. The 75th anniversary of the landmark Universal Declaration on Human Rights next year must be an opportunity for action. I urge Member States, civil society, the private sector and others to put human rights at the heart of efforts to reverse today’s damaging trends. Human rights are the foundation for human dignity, and the cornerstone of peaceful, inclusive, fair, equal and prosperous societies. They are a unifying force and a rallying cry. They reflect the most fundamental thing we share – our common humanity. On this Human Rights Day, we reaffirm the universality and indivisibility of all rights, as we stand up for human rights for all".

António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations.

EVENTS: Join us for a year-long campaign to promote and recognise the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights will be celebrated on 10 December 2023. Ahead of this milestone, starting on this year's Human Rights Day on 10 December 2022, we will launch a year-long campaign to showcase the UDHR by focusing on its legacy, relevance and activism.


HOW TO GET INVOLVED!

CAMPAIGN: I stand for Human Rights.

 Get the campaign materials and add your photo to one of the filters, inspired by the Declaration of Human Rights, and share it on social media.

International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime 2022; December 9th.

FORUM: "The role of sports in atrocity prevention." International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime 2022.


Sport has historically been a key mechanism for bringing communities together across divides and can be an important vehicle for promoting positive messages that contribute to social inclusion and cohesion, strengthening understanding and respect for diversity and reducing stereotypes. Beyond its capacity to unite people at local, national, and global levels, sport is increasingly used as a vehicle to empower youth and women; improve wellbeing and health, support education and social development objectives; and strengthen the resilience of individuals and communities. Around the globe, the power of sport is being harnessed to support agendas for peace, development, and, increasingly, the prevention of risks of atrocity crimes.

Statement by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime 2022; December 9th.

Today is a day to remember and pay tribute to the victims and survivors of genocides across the world. It is a day to reexamine our collective failure to prevent this crime in the past, and to redouble prevention efforts for the present and the future.

More than 70 years after the adoption of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, the threat of genocide remains present in many places around the world. Discrimination and hate speech, the early warning signs of genocide, are on the rise everywhere.

We must do more to promote strong political leadership and resolute action against these dangerous trends. We must do more to live up to our commitment to liberate humanity from the scourge of genocide.

I recently visited Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where I had the privilege of meeting survivors of atrocity crimes.

Their moving testimony was a forceful reminder of the individual suffering, pain and horror of genocide and atrocity crimes.

I call on every Member State to take concrete steps to protect communities at risk, including minorities, and address discrimination and persecution.

States have the primary obligation for preventing genocide, but religious and community leaders, civil society, the private sector and the media – including social media platforms, play an essential role.

On this International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide, I urge all stakeholders to use all means at their disposal to prevent and end this crime.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.

EVENTS: This year’s event will be dedicated to the role of sports in promoting peace and inclusion and highlighting ways in which it can champion prevention of atrocity crimes through its work and outreach.

9 December 2022, 11:00am – 1:00pm EST

The event will be held in person at the United Nations Headquarters in New York at the Trusteeship Council Chambers. It will also be live webcasted on UNTV and include opening remarks, followed by an interactive panel discussion. The event is open to Member States, UN staff, civil society, media and the public. 

See the full programme and RSVP by Tuesday, 6 December 2022.

WEBINARS

Commemoration of the Genocide of Jews.

 

International Anti-Corruption Day 2022; December 9th.

FORUM: UNCAC at 20: Uniting the world against Corruption. International Anti-Corruption Day 2022.

Corruption is a significant driver of instability. It erodes trust and perpetuates poverty. It undermines conflict prevention and peacebuilding efforts. The 2022 International Anti-Corruption Day (IACD) seeks to highlight the crucial link between anti-corruption and peace, security, and development. At its core is the notion that tackling this crime is the right and responsibility of everyone, and that only through cooperation and the involvement of each and every person and institution can we overcome the negative impact of this crime. States, government officials, civil servants, law enforcement officers, media representatives, the private sector, civil society, academia, the public and youth alike all have a role to play in uniting the world against corruption. The UNDPPA will continue working with all stakeholders to fight corruption for a just and peaceful world. Follow the conversation with the hastags: #IACD2022 #UNCAC20.

Preventing corruption, promoting transparency and strengthening institutions is crucial if the targets foreseen in the Sustainable Development Goals are to be met.

EVENTS: The 2022 IACD also marks the start of efforts to mark the twentieth anniversary of the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). Over the next year, culminating with IACD 2023, we will be reflecting on a world made better thanks to the collective push afforded by the Convention and, crucially, what gaps remain to ensure this is a truly strong mechanism for the years ahead.

International Civil Aviation Day 2022; December 7th.

FORUM: “Advancing Innovation for Global Aviation Development.” International Civil Aviation Day 2022. 

During the 40th Session of the Assembly, Member States adopted Resolution A40-27, Innovation in Aviation which recognizes that innovations carry significant potential in improving aviation safety, efficiency, security, facilitation, environmental sustainability, and economic development of air transport. Innovations can also lead to more efficient and streamlined aviation regulatory processes. As the UN and world nations have now adopted Agenda 2030, and embarked on a new era in global sustainable development, the importance of aviation as an engine of global connectivity has never been more relevant to the Chicago Convention’s objectives to look to international flight as a fundamental enabler of global peace and prosperity. 

Follow the conservations with the hashtags:#FlyDay, #CivilAviationDay, #7December, #AviationDevelopment, #AdvancingInnovation.

EVENTS: On December 7th to celebrate the International Civil Aviation Day 2022, the International Civil Aviation Organization will held a series of workshops, seminars and events accessible online on ICAO TV. 

As part of the ICAO consultative process, the ICAO Global Aviation Dialogues (GLADs) on LTAG will be held in a series of five regional events. The 2022 ICAO Stocktaking have provided a further opportunity to hear from Coalition partners on the progress of innovations in aviation CO2 emissions reductions, and have enable the sharing of the latest relevant information on technology, operations and fuels, as well as set the scene for the subsequent ICAO High-level Meeting on the Feasibility of a Long-term Global Aspirational Goal (HLM-LTAG) hybrid event.To take part registrate to the Upcoming events!

COMMEMORATION: "Everlasting legacy" 81st Commemoration of Pearl Harbor Livestream from Oahu, Hawaii.

World Soil Day 2022; December 5th.

 FORUM: 'Soils, where food begins.' World Soil Day 2022.Soil health and fertility have a direct influence on nutrient content of food crops  What do plants really need to grow? Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #Soil4Nutrition,  #WorldSoilDay, #5December.

EVENTS: Register now to the official event. on Dec. 5th from  12:20- 13:45 CET.

 high level opening session, artistic performance and opresentation of the soil prize winners and the soil contest results ...and more!!!  

A farmer-to-farmer training platform.

The FAO have designed a platform to share soil information and knowledge on the different components and aspects of the Global Soil Doctors Programme - a farmer-to-farmer training platform, and the importance of soil as a vital resource for farmers, policy makers, development planners, agricultural extension workers, NGOs, private sectors and any other practitioners/interested stakeholder.

 

International Volunteer Day 2022; December 5th.

FORUM: "Solidarity through volunteering." International Volunteer Day 2022.

Rising inequalities throughout the world implore that we need to work together to find common solutions. Volunteers, drawn together by solidarity, develop solutions to urgent development challenges and for the common good. Volunteering is where compassion meets solidarity. Both share the same root values – supporting each other from a position of trust, humility, respect and equality. 

Follow the conversation with the hastags; #5december, #InternationalVolunteerDay, #solidaritythroughvolunteering, #wemustacttogether and #wemustactnow.

EVENTS: In the lead up to IVD2022, join UNV and volunteers around the globe to celebrate the spirit of volunteerism . We are proud of all volunteers who are role models in their communities by working together in solidarity and personifying inspiration in action. 

International Day of Banks 2022; December 4th.

 FORUM: "Address the systemic economic and financial risks and architectural gaps that threaten the implementation of the 2030 Agenda." International Day of Banks 2022.

The banking sector plays an important role in achieving the 2030 Agenda due to its capacity to provide and channel resources towards sustainable initiatives that contribute to the implementation of the SDGs. To achieve this goal, most banks are identifying ways in which their activities can contribute to delivering the global sustainable development agenda, with about half of survey respondents reporting the use of indicators and targets aligned with the SDGs.

According to the study, banks give priority to SDGs on which their financing activities can make the biggest impact, as opposed to areas where their influence would come from their role as employers or purchasers of products or services. While all SDGs receive some attention, the SDGs that receive the greatest bank focus are those related to economic growth and decent work (SDG 8), climate action (SDG 13), clean energy (SDG 7), sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11) and responsible consumption and production (SDG 12).

Sustainable-focused products have high potential as a source of SDG financing. 63.3% of banks surveyed in the study have already launched products, services or commercial initiatives based on the SDGs. For bank customers, these mostly include bonds and investment funds aligned with the SDGs. At the retail level, banks are developing products and services that promote a transition to a low-carbon economy, ranging from green mortgages to loans for the purchase of eco-friendly vehicles. Some products also promote other topics such as entrepreneurship or gender equality.

Establishing sustainable financing frameworks also enables the banks to identify activities that can channel funding into projects aligned with the SDGs. In terms of portfolio evaluation to measure alignment with the SDGs, progress has thus far been uneven, with most banks reporting that little headway has been made in integrating these aspects into the business. The same trend is observed in terms of defining objectives and metrics suitable for monitoring. According to the study, this is largely motivated by the lack of a methodology to facilitate these tasks, and by the need to engage in strategic business thinking that considers SDGs from the initial stage.

The International Day of Banks is on December 4th, and it is annually commemorated all over the world to Acknowledge the role of banks in providing people with important information for their financial security.

How to get Involved!

• Recognize the role of National and regional development banks during financial crises when private sector entities become highly risk-averse.
• Call on Governments to revisit their labour market policies, social protection systems, fiscal policies, competition policies, trade policies and financial sector regulations and strategies to ensure that they are in line with the new realities.
• Call upon national and regional development banks to expand their contributions in areas such as sustainable infrastructure, energy, agriculture, industrialization, science, technology, and innovation, as well as financial inclusion and financing of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises
• Ensure that financial and economic systems are coherent with sustainable development
•  Demonstrate how the well-functioning national and regional development banks can play in financing sustainable development
• Urge relevant international public and private actors to support such banks in developing countries.
• Develop Integrated financing frameworks to respond to financing challenges.

PANEL DISCUSSION: How does banking supervision work?


The process for banking supervision can be envisaged as a cycle:regulation and supervisory policies provide the foundation for the development of supervisory methodologies and standards, which underpin day-to-day supervisory activities Lessons learned in the course of supervision and through regular quality checks are used to improve this processs.

ECB Banking Supervision

How does banking supervision work?

PANEL DISCUSSION: Bank of 2030: The Future of Banking - Financial Services. Adapting for the future.

The future of banking will look very different from today. Faced with changing consumer expectations, emerging technologies, and new business models, banks will need to start putting strategies in place now to help them prepare for banking in 2030. Explore eight key trends below that are changing the banking landscape.

• CyFi (cyber risk and financial crime)
• Data integrity and analytics
• Digital and emerging technologies
• Embracing and becoming digital
• Enterprise agility
• Future of work
• Leveraging platforms and monetizing data
• Orchestrating across the ecosystem

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION.

How can you drive bold transformation in your organization over the next 10 years? Learn how our holistic, integrated solutions can help you address the challenges and maximize the opportunities of the next-generation bank.

PUBLICATIONS

BRIDGING THE FINANCE DIVIDE- Financing for Sustainable Development Report 2022.

                 

The 2022 Financing for Sustainable Development Report: Bridging the Finance Divide finds that while rich countries were able to support their pandemic recovery with record sums borrowed at ultra-low interest rates, the poorest countries spent billions servicing debt, preventing them from investing in sustainable development. The pandemic shock plunged 77 million more people into extreme poverty in 2021, and by the end of the year many economies remained below pre-2019 levels. The report estimates that in 1 in 5 developing countries’ GDP per capita would not return to 2019 levels by the end of 2023, even before absorbing the impacts of the Ukraine war.

NO SUSTAINABILITY WITHOUT EQUITY.The Global Outlook on Financing for Sustainable Development 2023.


Successive crises including COVID-19, Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the climate emergency are exacerbating inequalities between and within countries and stifling progress to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement. While developed countries deployed historic stimulus packages to build back better, developing countries lacked fiscal and monetary buffers to respond. Countries with the fewest resources face challenging trade-offs between short-term rescue and long-term financing for a sustainable recovery. The SDG financing gap in developing countries grew due to a drop in available resources called upon in the Addis Ababa Action Agenda coupled with rising financing needs. Official Development Assistance (ODA), or aid, played an important role to help narrow the gap, but could not do so on its own. Global crises open a window of opportunity for SDG alignment of broader resources to narrow the gap. Growing trillions in developed countries aim to reduce risks, including environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria. However, resources are not reaching the countries most in need. Urgent action is needed to remove bottlenecks for a more equitable and needs-based allocation of sustainable finance.

A NEW WAY TO INVEST FOR PEOPLE AND PLANET. The Global Outlook on Financing for Sustainable Development 2021 calls for collective action to address both the short-term collapse in resources of developing countries as well as long-term strategies to build back better following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The financing gap to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in developing countries was estimated at several trillions of dollars annually before the pandemic. The report demonstrates that progress to leave no one behind has since reversed, and the international community faces unprecedented challenges to implement the holistic financing strategy set out in the Addis Ababa Action Agenda (AAAA). The report finds that trillions of dollars in financial assets held by asset managers, banks and institutional investors are contributing to inequalities and unsustainable practices. It highlights the need to enhance the quality of financing through better incentives, accountability and transparency mechanisms, integrating the long-term risks of climate change, global health, and other non-financial factors into investment decisions. The report concludes with a plan of action for all actors to work jointly to reduce market failures in the global financial system and to seize opportunities to align financing in support of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development.