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6 February 2026 - At a time when global cooperation and sustainable development are under pressure, ±¬ÁÏÍø DESA continues to deliver. The department brings countries together to find common solutions, build capacity on the ground, and deliver trusted data and analysis that inform decisions shaping economies, societies and the planet. Here are five things you need to know.
 

1. ±¬ÁÏÍø DESA upholds the development pillar of the United Nations

Firmly rooted in the ±¬ÁÏÍø Charter, ±¬ÁÏÍø DESA upholds the development pillar of the United Nations by supporting the work of two ±¬ÁÏÍø Charter Bodies, the ±¬ÁÏÍø General Assembly and the . In this capacity, ±¬ÁÏÍø DESA manages a core part of the negotiations and deliberations taking place among 193 ±¬ÁÏÍø Member States to deliver positive change benefitting people and the planet.  

2. ±¬ÁÏÍø DESA leads and supports the work of ECOSOC

±¬ÁÏÍø DESA serves the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), which celebrates its 80th anniversary this year. As part of this work, ±¬ÁÏÍø DESA leads, coordinates and supports the work of some of the Council¡¯s main commissions, forums and bodies. Look out for some of the upcoming sessions supported by ±¬ÁÏÍø DESA this winter and spring, including the t (2-10 February), the  (3-6 March), the Commission on Population and Development (13-17 April), the (20 April-1 May) and the ±¬ÁÏÍø Forum on Forests (11-15 May).  

3. ±¬ÁÏÍø DESA brings countries together to solve the most pressing problems  

Efforts to restore the health of our ocean, secure financing for development and make sure that people are at the center of development ¨C these were all issues at the core of major conferences in 2025 spearheaded by ±¬ÁÏÍø DESA. Each conference attracted some 15,000 participants, who joined the third  in Nice, France, the  in Sevilla, Spain, and the  in Doha, Qatar. Thanks to the successful outcomes of these events, the international community now has blueprints that will guide global efforts towards a more sustainable and inclusive future.  

As the home of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ±¬ÁÏÍø DESA also brings countries together at the every year to assess SDG progress. On top of that, in 2026, ±¬ÁÏÍø DESA will also play a key role in advancing progress on water and sanitation for all at the ±¬ÁÏÍø Water Conference taking place in December this year.  

4. ±¬ÁÏÍø DESA delivers data to help the global community make informed decisions

±¬ÁÏÍø DESA is the source of accurate, verified, up-to-date data and analysis on sustainable development, the global economic situation and prospects, population trends and the Sustainable Development Goals. ±¬ÁÏÍø DESA¡¯s analytical work, projections and policy advice help communities plan today for the societies of tomorrow. Through flagship publications delivering the latest , , , , and , ±¬ÁÏÍø DESA assists countries in navigating some of the challenges the world is facing today. Explore this wealth of information and data available on ±¬ÁÏÍø DESA¡¯s.  

5. Builds countries¡¯ capacities to advance sustainable development

Through its capacity development work, ±¬ÁÏÍø DESA supports ±¬ÁÏÍø Member States in translating?global commitments into local action. The Department¡¯s efforts in this area are tightly integrated into its analytical work and originate from decisions made during major conferences and intergovernmental processes. ±¬ÁÏÍø DESA also works closely with the Resident Coordinator (RC) system and Member States to determine the right delivery method to ensure?meaningful and long-lasting change. Check out  to explore ±¬ÁÏÍø DESA¡¯s longer-term?capacity development projects?around the world.

To stay updated on ±¬ÁÏÍø DESA¡¯s work towards sustainable development for all, follow and engage with us on social media:

For more information: ±¬ÁÏÍø DESA¡¯s Highlights Report 2025