For , United Nations Development Programme has partnered with governments and communities to reduce inequalities, create jobs, support crisis recovery, and promote inclusive, sustainable development worldwide.
Social Development
°ä´Ç±ô´Çłľ˛úľ±˛ąâ€™s , supported by the , advances gender equality, decent work, and community-led services under national and global frameworks.
Home to over 600 million people, the 32 Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) face a highly challenging pathway to sustainable development due to the lack of sea access, geographical isolation, and trade costs that are 30% higher than those of coastal countries. To raise awareness, the UN General Assembly proclaimed 6 August as the International Day of Awareness of the Special Development Needs and Challenges of Landlocked Developing Countries. The first celebration of this day coincides with the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, currently being held in Awaza, Turkmenistan.
On World Rural Development Day, we meet Khmayes from rural Tunisia, whose life was transformed by an IFAD-supported project that gave him the freedom to transport and sell his goods with a motorized tricycle.
In a world frayed by conflict, poverty, and fear, the International Day of Friendship (30 July) calls on us to remember a quiet truth: that peace begins not in grand gestures, but in the gentle weaving of trust between souls. Friendship, in its simplest form, becomes a defiant act of hope—bridging cultures, nurturing understanding, and planting the seeds of reconciliation. Through shared bonds and open dialogue, especially among the young, we are invited to imagine a world not fractured, but joined—stitched together by the enduring thread of human solidarity.
Amid growing unrest and deepening divides, 12 July marks the International Day of Hope—a call to light the candle of hope in us all. Rooted in the UN’s vision of peace and dignity, the day highlights hope as a force that bridges distance and draws us towards a more just and united world. It invites us all to act—with kindness, courage, and care—so that even in darkness, the small flame of hope keeps burning, lighting the way forward.
Rural development goes beyond geographic boundaries and addresses critical challenges such as poverty, inequality, food insecurity, and sustainability. Celebrated on 6 July, World Rural Development Day promotes an integrated approach that values traditional knowledge, advances gender equality, and fosters digital inclusion. It calls on governments, international organizations and civil society to engage in tangible initiatives, informed policy dialogue, and community-led efforts to uplift and empower those who till the soil, harvest the seas, and nurture the land in the rural corners of the world.
Ahead of the Fourth World Conference on Financing for Development in Sevilla, Mariangela Parra-Lancourt highlights how smart investments in individuals can drive progress for all of society.
From Bangladesh to Colombia and Uganda, the Lives in Dignity Grant Facility empowers displaced and host communities through local, long-term solutions that restore dignity, strengthen resilience, and foster inclusion and peace.
Safety and security are essential for our daily lives, impacting our well-being, relationships, and opportunities. They are crucial for fostering progress, as individuals who feel secure are more likely to engage in education and community contributions. To create safe environments, it is important to enhance rights protection, deliver justice, and strengthen the rule of law. A strong, people-centered police force is vital for community security. Through its , the United Nations Development Programme () supports police and security sector reforms in various countries, promoting community policing to rebuild trust between communities and law enforcement.
Our future isn't predetermined; we have choices amidst conflict, climate change, and inequality. By harnessing the creativity of 1.45 billion young people, we can pursue financially rewarding and transformative pathways. However, the deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals is nearing, necessitating fresh approaches and global cooperation that are urgently needed due to escalating challenges like declining development assistance and a deepening debt crisis. The serves as a vital platform for leaders to address interconnected crises, reaffirm commitments to inclusive systems, and protect future generations, especially in Africa and Asia.
Parenting doesn’t come naturally to everyone—it’s a skill that must be learned and nurtured with the right support. On Global Day of Parents (1 June), we celebrate those who guide and love the next generation, with the theme “Raising Parents”. Acknowledging caregivers' daily challenges, is launching —a campaign to uplift and empower parents. The initiative spotlights heartfelt stories that capture the joys and struggles of raising children, offer practical advice and tools for caregiving, and advocate for expanded support through parenting programmes worldwide.
19 May 2025 marks the inaugural World Fair Play Day. This celebration promotes sports that are played in the spirit of friendship, solidarity, tolerance, inclusion, and non-discrimination. Fair play encourages mutual respect, promotes equality, and brings cultures together, empowering youth and strengthening communities. By upholding its core values—respect, rule adherence, and opposition to violence and doping—everyone wins. Let’s stand together for fair play.
The 2025 edition of the Human Development Report, titled “” explores how emerging technologies—especially AI—are reshaping economies, societies, and human well-being. As digital tools rapidly transform the way we live and work, the report calls for bold, inclusive governance to ensure innovation serves people and planet. As AI accelerates change, this landmark report urges us to close digital divides and build a future where technology empowers everyone.
Amid escalating conflicts, climate disasters, and funding shortfalls, the 21st Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development () Conference 2025 (29 April - 1 May) explores critical issues including the evolution of humanitarian principles, shifting financing landscapes, the rise of local actors, and the growing impact of climate change and displacement. also held a under the theme "Ethics in Action," offering humanitarian professionals a platform to address ethical decision-making, AI’s implications, corruption risks, and responsible data practices.