The state of the planet is a key agenda item for the United Nations General Assembly. This page features related updates from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and its partners, including key moments of the year such as July’s High-level Political Forum and September’s High-Level Week which in 2024 included the Summit of the Future.
18 Sep
2023
20:13
World leaders agree to "step up" efforts on Sustainable Development Goals
World leaders agreed today to supercharge their efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), humanity’s blueprint for a better future.
In a joint declaration , countries promised “bold, ambitious, accelerated” action on the goals, just 15 per cent of which are on track. The vow came during the SDG Summit , which marks the midway point of the global effort to realize the goals.
On Saturday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres underlined the importance of the SDGs. “They are about righting historic wrongs, healing global divisions and putting our world on a path to lasting peace.”
18 Sep
2023
19:25
Poet calls on world to protect nature
Poet and activist Jordan Sanchez recited a new poem on Sunday during a high-level event in New York, urging humanity to end what she called the destruction of the natural world.
"To explore the Earth is your birthright. But to pillage it is not," she said. "This planet is no puppet. She listens and she speaks. Her words are the crackling embers, and her screams are floods in the streets."
Sanchez read the work, entitled "hudson river", at a UNEP-backed event designed to showcase how the natural world can help drive economic growth and sustainable development.
18 Sep
2023
18:37
Watch: Nature driving economic transformation
Nature, and the resources and services it provides, underpins the global economy. But around the world, natural spaces are disappearing at an alarming rate. This short video explores how countries can lay the foundation for sustainable growth by protecting and restoring nature.
18 Sep
2023
16:54
Climate change undermines nearly all the Sustainable Development Goals
Only 15 per cent of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are on track, says the United in Science report, which examines the impact of climate change and extreme weather on the goals.
The new multi-agency report coordinated by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and released last week, illustrates how weather, climate and water-related sciences can advance aims such as food and water security, clean energy, better health, sustainable oceans and resilient cities.
The annual report combines input and expertise from 18 organizations and was issued ahead of the SDG Summit and Climate Ambition Summit at the United Nations General Assembly taking place this week.
18 Sep
2023
15:00
UNEP FI at Climate Week NYC
The UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) is a collaboration with the global financial sector to catalyze action for sustainable development. It will participate in numerous events at Climate Week NYC on the margins of the UN General Assembly from today through Friday. These events – focusing on subjects such as sustainable investment and climate modelling – will showcase UNEP FI’s work with its network of banks, insurers and investors to deliver more sustainable global economies.
See the full agenda here.
18 Sep
2023
12:00
What is the acceleration agenda and why does it matter?
Wednesday’s Climate Ambition Summit will see a focus on the Acceleration Agenda , which is a roadmap for governments, businesses, and finance leaders to prevent the world from crossing dangerous climate thresholds and to deliver justice for those on the frontlines of the climate crisis.
The facts are stark: Half of the world’s population is already living in climate danger zones, and those in climate hotspots are 15 times more likely to die from climate impacts. Close to 70 per cent of all deaths from climate-related disasters in the last 50 years have occurred in the 46 least developed countries, but no person and no country is immune from the climate crisis.
To tackle this, deep, rapid and sustained emissions cuts are needed, along with accelerated adaptation efforts this decade. Climate justice needs to be delivered too, which includes the adoption of early warning systems, a doubling of adaptation finance and the operationalizing of the new loss and damage fund.
Read about some of those already making a difference on the ground here.
18 Sep
2023
10:00
Happening today: SDG Summit
Heads of State and Government will gather at UN Headquarters in New York today and tomorrow to review the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and provide high-level political guidance on transformative and accelerated actions leading up to the target year of 2030 for achieving the Goals.
The Summit will respond to the impact of multiple and interlocking crises facing the world and it is hoped will reignite a sense of hope, optimism, and enthusiasm for the 2030 Agenda.
Find the full programme here, or watch the event live or on demand at
18 Sep
2023
08:00
How nature can drive economic development
Nature Driving Economic Transformation: Leveraging the power of biodiversity and nature to drive equitable economic progress is one of twelve high impact initiatives, led by UN-system entities, that showcase select programmatic offerings and initiatives to support Member States efforts towards just development transitions and Sustainable Development Goal achievement.
18 Sep
2023
06:30
Coming up today: Monday highlights
Today sees a number of important events on in New York, including:
How nature can drive economic development at 9am EST
Nature Driving Economic Transformation: Leveraging the power of biodiversity and nature to drive equitable economic progress is one of twelve high impact initiatives, led by UN-system entities, that showcase initiatives to support Member States efforts towards Sustainable Development Goal achievement.
Heads of State and Government will gather at UN Headquarters in New York today and tomorrow to review the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
UNEPFI at UNGA from 9am EST
The UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) is a collaboration with the global financial sector to catalyse action for sustainable development. It will participate in numerous events at Climate Week NYC on the margins of the UNGA until Friday.
17 Sep
2023
20:22
UNEP Executive Director: "urgent and radical shift needed"
"We need an urgent and radical shift: from using nature, to working with nature. To creating nature-centred economies that understand the difference between price and value, between price and cost," said Inger Andersen United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Executive Director, at the Nature Driving Economic Transformation event in New York.
Andersen laid out three key steps that are needed to live in harmony with nature:
- Implement the the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework ;
- Account for nature; and
- Take holistic action across the triple planetary crisis.
You can read the full speech here.
