On 17 December, UN DESA hosted an innovative Global Policy Dialogue titled "Making the SDGs Work for and with Persons with Disabilities." This hybrid event was held at the SDG Studio at UN Headquarters in New York, as well as online, presenting a pivotal opportunity to amplify voices of persons with disabilities and inspire action towards a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable world.

17 December 2024, the UN General Assembly adopted by consensus the resolution on “Rights of Indigenous Peoples” - Item 68 (A/79/455). 

The resolution among other issues: 

DESA Programme on Ageing, in collaboration with the International Institute on Ageing INIA (United Nations - Malta) and DOF in Nigeria, is pleased to announce the event "Advancing Ageing Policy Formulation and Action Plan in Africa", taking place on 11 December 2024, from 10:00 to 11:30 AM in Conference Room 8 at UN Headquarters, New York.

Sponsored by the Permanent Missions of Nigeria and Malta to the United Nations, this event aims to build momentum for the upcoming Second World Social Development Summit in 2025.

The UN International Year of Cooperatives (IYC) 2025, themed “Cooperatives Build a Better World,” was officially launched on 25th November 2024 during the ICA Global Conference in New Delhi, India. It was inaugurated by India’s Prime Minister, Hon. Narendra Modi, who delivered a keynote address highlighting the important role cooperatives play globally and thanked the UN for declaring 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives. marking a historic milestone in advancing the global cooperative movement.

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) will be commemorated on December 3, 2024, under the theme, “Amplifying the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future.” This global observance highlights the essential role of persons with disabilities in shaping a more inclusive and sustainable world and calls for their active participation in decision-making processes.

An informal briefing for stakeholders on the preparations for the “World Social Summit” in 2025 under the title “the Second World Summit on Social Development” will be convened by H.E. Mr. Philippe Kridelka, Permanent Representative of Belgium to the United Nations, and H.E. Mr. Omar Hilale, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Morocco to the United Nations, in their capacity as co-facilitators of the intergovernmental preparatory process leading up to the Summit. 

The United Nations General Assembly adopted draft resolution A/RES/79/8 on ‘Sport as an Enabler of Sustainable Development’ by consensus on 12 November 2024. The draft resolution was co-facilitated by Monaco and Qatar, and co-sponsored by Armenia and Turkmenistan.

Registration is now open for the Expert Group Meeting.

Every year, the Indigenous Peoples and Development Branch within the Division for Inclusive Social Development of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs organizes an international expert group meeting (EGM) on a theme recommended by the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and endorse by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

The Permanent Forum is an advisory body to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) with a mandate to discuss Indigenous issues related to economic and social development, culture, the environment, education, health and human rights. The Permanent Forum holds annual two-week sessions at the United Nations Headquarters in New York in April-May.

The Permanent Forum is comprised of sixteen independent experts (See ECOSOC resolution 2000/22).

On 11 November 2024, the Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee (Third Committee) of the 79th session of the General Assembly discussed and considered the draft resolution, "The Rights of Indigenous Peoples" [item 68 (a)].