General Assembly (GA)

The Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is requested by the Human Rights Council to present two annual reports: one at its regular sessions in Geneva, usually held in September, and another at the General Assembly, typically in October. These annual reports include a description of the activities carried out during the year within the framework of the mandate and often include discussions on specific themes or issues of particular relevance to the rights of Indigenous Peoples.

These reports to the General Assembly can be accessed here.

The report provides updates on progress and concrete steps to implement the Sustainable Development Goals for persons with disabilities, highlights the impacts of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), shares findings from the Disability and Development Report 2024 and recommends policies for implementing the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It emphasizes accessibility, economic opportunities, assistive technologies, data-informed policies and multisectoral collaboration. Upcoming summits aim to promote inclusive development, partnerships and international cooperation.

The report concludes with policy recommendations to accelerate progress on the 2030 Agenda for persons with disabilities. It calls for a comprehensive, inclusive approach to address policy gaps…

The General Assembly, Recalling the World Summit for Social Development, held in Copenhagen from 6 to 12 March 1995, and the twenty-fourth special session of the General Assembly, entitled “World Summit for Social Development and beyond: achieving social development for all in a globalizing world”, held in Geneva from 26 June to 1 July 2000, 

Please click on the publication link above for the full resolution, which is available in all six UN official languages.

The General Assembly, Recalling the World Summit for Social Development, held in Copenhagen from 6 to 12 March 1995, and the twenty-fourth special session of the General Assembly, entitled “World Summit for Social Development and beyond: achieving social development for all in a globalizing world”, held in Geneva from 26 June to 1 July 2000,

Reaffirming that the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development and the Programme of Action of the World Summit for Social Development 1 and the further initiatives for social development adopted by the General Assembly at its twentyfourth special session,2 as well as a continued global dialogue on social development issues, constitute the basic framework for the promotion of social development for all at the national and international…

The report provides: (a) an update on the status of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Optional Protocol thereto, and (b) an overview of the protection and safety of persons with disabilities in situations of risk and humanitarian emergencies, as outlined in article 11 of the Convention.

The report also contains a section on the development, use and implementation of easyto-understand communication as an accessibility resource and tool for persons with disabilities. The report presents initiatives and progress made in these areas by Governments, entities of the United Nations system, other intergovernmental organizations and civil society organizations. It concludes with recommendations for action to implement article 11 of the Convention and to…

The report provides a review of the progress made and the gaps and challenges in implementing the Third United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (2018–2027), in the context of a series of severe and mutually reinforcing crises: the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the war in Ukraine, the food and energy crises, rising inflation and climate change. Policies for an inclusive and sustainable recovery are discussed and recommendations put forward for consideration by the Assembly.

The report provides a review of the progress, gaps and challenges in inclusive social development policies and programmes to address homelessness, given the socioeconomic impacts of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The specific challenges faced by disadvantaged groups are discussed. The report shows that, while knowledge of and policies on homelessness are improving, substantial efforts are still needed. Notwithstanding homelessness concerns in developed and developing economies, the report serves to highlight global contrasts, along with the convergence of issues and strategies.   In the report, the Secretary-General proposes possible indicators for social protection and access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing in the aftermath of COVID-19.