Resolve
The past year has tested humanity in every way.
The present report shows that, despite the difficulties, progress is possible, and change is achievable.
Despite the obstacles in their way, the staff of the United Nations' commitment to a better, brighter future shines through in all that they do. Their resolve is to achieve results for the people of the world and to deliver the help and the hope that every person deserves – and that the human family needs today, more than ever.
At every step, our Organization and our personnel will continue to stand in solidarity with the people of the world through these trying times, as we seek to forge a more peaceful, healthy, equal and prosperous future together.
ANT?NIO GUTERRES, United Nations Secretary-General
Achievements of the United Nations
family in 2023
The United Nations Secretariat is part of the wider United Nations family with over 100 bodies and organizations, including some 30 agencies, funds and programmes. Every year, the United Nations family supports hundreds of millions of people with over $60 billion of assistance.
Food security
152M
people received food assistance to improve their food security
Children
133M
children vaccinated against measles, including 32M+ in emergency situations
Water and sanitation
36M
people gained access to safe water that is available when needed
Health and well-being
15M
refugees, asylum seekers and others of concern in 77 countries received essential health services
Climate action
178M
hectares of protected area created or received improved management in 56 countries
操逼视频app and security
$203M
approved in 36 countries and territories for peacebuilding initiatives
Human rights
56
countries supported, to significantly increase the protection and promotion of human rights in selected human rights areas
Women
92
law-making processes supported during adoptions, revisions or repeals, to advance gender equality in 23 countries
Livelihoods
9M
people in fragile contexts supported with jobs and livelihoods
Our work across key priority areas
The key priorities covered in the report correspond to the eight priorities established by the General Assembly, together with a final chapter on the effective functioning of the Organization.
? Partnerships Office/Daniel Getachew
Forging pathways for sustainable development
Past the midpoint of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, only 17 per cent of Sustainable Development Goal targets are on track, according to The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2024. Rising interest rates, debt distress and geoeconomic fragmentation are slowing progress. Greenhouse gas emissions are driving climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, which disproportionately affect the poor. Women continue to be underrepresented in decision-making and encounter discrimination that impedes progress towards gender equality.
? UNMISS/Gregório Cunha
Fostering peace and security
Global peace and security faced significant challenges in 2023. Conflicts raged in Gaza, the Sudan and Ukraine, among many other locations, destroying lives and livelihoods, displacing millions and straining our and our partners’ peacemaking and humanitarian capacities. Other global challenges persist, from protracted civil wars, the deepening climate crisis, soaring inequalities and a rising threat of terrorism, to global pushback against human rights and gender equality, as well as the underregulated development of technologies.
? UNOPS/Kenyi Moses
Propelling African growth
At the midpoint of the 2030 Agenda, Africa is advancing towards the achievement of 12 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, but the current pace of progress is insufficient to achieve the Goals by 2030. To accelerate that pace, it is now essential to address debt distress and scale up national investment in sustainable development and public institutions.
? UN Photo/Elma Okic
Upholding human rights
In a world rife with conflict, poverty and environmental degradation, human rights regressed in 2023. In spite of the challenging times, the United Nations remains committed to promoting and protecting human rights. To revitalize a global commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights upon its seventy-fifth anniversary, more than 150 countries and 120 non-governmental organizations, national human rights institutions and other actors made nearly 800 pledges reaffirming their dedication to advancing human rights.
? UN-Women/Sayed Habib Bedill
Securing humanitarian assistance
Humanitarian crises soared in 2023 and were devastating for the most vulnerable people. Those crises severely strained the global humanitarian system and disproportionately affected women and children. Conflict, disease and disasters were amplified by climate change, causing record levels of displacement and hunger and a risk of famine – even in areas that had never before been at risk. International humanitarian law and human rights violations continued with impunity, including attacks on civilians, hospitals, humanitarian aid and schools. More United Nations aid workers died in 2023 than ever in history.
? UN Photo/Frank van Beek
Advancing justice and international law
The principles of justice and international law, as well as of the peaceful settlement of disputes, are enshrined in the first two Articles of the Charter of the United Nations. Those principles therefore constitute the very foundation upon which the international community cooperates.
? UN Photo/Loey Felipe
Championing disarmament
Civilians are bearing the brunt of armed conflict amid escalating global tensions. The threat of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction persists, while military spending rises and conventional arms, especially illicit small arms and light weapons, increasingly proliferate. Emerging technologies pose additional challenges to security.
? UNODC/Duncan Moore
Combating drugs, crime and terrorism
In today’s complex global landscape, terrorism and transnational organized crime destabilize regions, communities and lives, especially in conflict areas. Climate change, political instability and displacement amplify existing vulnerabilities and can be linked to escalating illicit trade and diverse forms of trafficking.
? UN Photo/Rick Bajornas
Enhancing our operations
Over 35,000 United Nations Secretariat staff members work at 467 duty stations across the globe. The Secretariat strives to uphold the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct, efficient management of resources and effective delivery on mandates.