For the first time in two decades, extreme poverty is on the rise, the UN chief said in his message released on Friday, marking the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, on 17 October.

On Wednesday 20 October, the Permanent Forum will organize an regional dialogue on Indigenous Peoples’ autonomy and self-governance in the Eastern Europe, Russian Federation, Central Asia and Transcaucasia region. 

Russian/English interpretation will be available.

At its twentieth session, the Permanent Forum committed to facilitating informal online regional dialogues on autonomy and self-governance to support the development of guiding principles for the realization of the rights of Indigenous Peoples to autonomy and self-government.

The COVID-19 pandemic that continues to grip the world has caused over 3.7 million deaths and is reversing decades of progress in the fight against poverty. It is a matter of fact that the impact of the coronavirus has been the hardest on people who – for generations – have lacked equal access to public goods and services, quality healthcare systems and strong social protection, making it harder to cope with global crises.

The theme this year is: “Building Forward Together: Ending Persistent Poverty, Respecting all People and our Planet”.

On Tuesday 19 October at 9 AM (EST), the Permanent Forum will organize a regional dialogue on Indigenous Peoples’ autonomy and self-governance in the Latin America and Caribbean region. 

There will be interpretation available from Spanish to English and vice-versa.

At its twentieth session, the Permanent Forum committed to facilitating informal online regional dialogues on autonomy and self-governance to support the development of guiding principles for the realization of the rights of Indigenous Peoples to autonomy and self-government.

Marking the International Day of Older Persons this Friday, the United Nations is driving home the message that “digital equality” online, needs to be inclusive of everybody, regardless of age.

In his message, the UN Secretary-General said that as each individual faces the challenge of navigating the world’s growing reliance on technology, “perhaps no population could benefit more from support, than older persons.”

The United Nations International Day of Older Persons 2021 (UNIDOP) theme “Digital Equity for All Ages” predicates the need for access and meaningful participation in the digital world by older persons.

The world “is challenged like never before”, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Monday, but the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) still offer a roadmap to get back on track.

“It would be easy to lose hope. But we are not hopeless. Or helpless. We have a path to recovery. If we choose to take it,” he said.

The General Assembly opens its seventy-sixth session in challenging times. President, H.E. Abdulla Shahid takes the leadership of the Assembly, committed to focus on “Building resilience through hope – to recover from COVID-19, rebuild sustainability, respond to the needs of the planet, respect the rights of people, and revitalize the United Nations”.

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) was adopted by the General Assembly on 13 September 2007, with 144 countries voting in support, 4 voting against and 11 abstaining.