Economic and Social Council: Meetings Coverage

Amid growing inequality, escalating climate threats, persistent poverty, and widening digital divides, world leaders today warned that sustainable development remains critically off track — underscored by a staggering $4 trillion annual financing gap. At the conclusion of the High-level Political Forum held under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council, Member States adopted a ministerial declaration reaffirming the international community’s unwavering commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

While trumpeting the virtues of multilateralism, speakers in the Economic and Social Council’s high-level segment today warned that the principle is under attack as conflict and one-sided economic policies threaten to obstruct — or, in some cases, reverse — development gains as 2030 draws near.

With just five years remaining to meet the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, progress is uneven — and in many areas, dangerously off track — amid shrinking national budgets, rising nationalism, and trade-disrupting tariffs, speakers warned today at the opening of the high-level segment of the Economic and Social Council.

Nearly a decade since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda, Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 dedicated to achieving gender equality and empowerment of women and girls “remains the most off-track”, speakers told a United Nations high-level political forum today, calling for reinforced measures to accelerate progress against a tide of backsliding rights and opportunities.

With only 35 per cent of targets on track or making moderate progress — while 47 per cent lag and 18 per cent have regressed, speakers warned a United Nations forum today that achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development remains possible, but the window of opportunity is rapidly closing, urging immediate action.

Speakers and delegates addressing a joint meeting of the Economic and Social Council and the Peacebuilding Commission under the theme “Building and Sustaining Peace in Haiti” emphasized the urgent need for international support to address the conflict-ridden nation’s worsening security situation, protect children amid escalating violence and humanitarian crisis, and curb the illicit flow of arms while advancing a Haitian-led political process.

The Economic and Social Council concluded its two-day management segment today with a round-table discussion under the theme “Unity in Action: Accelerating Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Implementation and Building a Better Future for All”.

Focusing on a wide range of global issues from gender equality to transnational crime, the Economic and Social Council adopted about two dozen texts that reflected decisions already approved and then submitted by its subsidiary bodies, as it opened its 2025 Management Segment today.

The General Assembly elected a total of 20 new members to the Economic and Social Council today who will begin their terms on 1 January 2026.

From internally displaced people to victims of sexual exploitation and abuse, the United Nations development system and Member States must work together to support those who fall between the cracks, the Economic and Social Council heard today.