UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA)
The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) upholds the development pillar of the UN Secretariat, headed by the UN Secretary General. Based at the United Nations headquarters in New York, UN DESA supports deliberations in the UN General Assembly and UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and the implementation of the decision of these bodies, including on water and sanitation related issues.
Capacity-building
UN DESA advises Member States/Governments on implementing the policies and programmes developed at UN conferences back in their home countries. It assists interested Governments in translating policy frameworks developed in UN conferences and summits into programmes at the country level and, through technical assistance, helps build national capacities.
World Water Day celebrates water and raises awareness of the 2.2 billion people living without access to safe water. It is about taking action to tackle the global water crisis and achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030. The theme of World Water Day 2021 is va … Read more
During the SDG Business Forum starting today, a breakout session titled ‘Untapped potential: Water Innovation to advance the SDGs’ will be co-hosted by UN-Water, UN DESA, and UN Global Compact CEO Water Mandate. The session will be hosted on 23 September at 11am EDT. At this critical time, when ambi … Read more
Take a one minute survey and voice your opinion for United Nations 75th Anniversary UN-Water 25 May, 2020 The United Nations is marking its 75th anniversary at a time of great challenge, including the worst global health crisis in its history. Will it bring the world closer together? Or will it lead … Read more
Second Global Conference on Strengthening Synergies between the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development UN-Water 5 March, 2020 On the 2-3 April 2020, the 2nd Global Conference on Strengthening Synergies between the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Developme … Read more
Decade of Action to deliver the Global Goals UN-Water 23 January, 2020 The Sustainable Development Goals—our shared vision to end poverty, rescue the planet and build a peaceful world—are gaining global momentum. With just 10 years to go, an ambitious global effort is underway to deliver the 2030 pr … Read more