Photo: UNICEF/Raphael Pouget
In 2024, the United Nations will once again be at the centre of international efforts to tackle the world's most pressing challenges, from strengthening the global economy to promoting climate action to keeping peace in conflict zones. While we cannot predict what will make headlines, we do know that the UN will take full advantage of its unique convening power to bring together leaders and decision-makers in the hope of making the world a more peaceful, just and prosperous place for all.
January: checking the state of the world economy
While many people are looking forward to celebrating the end of the year, the release of the flagship World Economic Situation and Prospects report is unlikely to bring them much relief: the release of this authoritative study for 2024 is likely to predict that economic growth and progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals will be slow.
The gloomy outlook by the UN Department of Economic Affairs (DESA) is due to tighter monetary policy, weak global trade and investment and rising debt vulnerabilities, compounded by increased geopolitical risks and worsening climate impacts. On the positive side, inflation is likely to fall, but further global conflict could drive it up again. Better international cooperation will be encouraged as a way to improve global economic prospects. The report will be published on 4 January.
The conflict in Gaza is likely to continue to dominate UN and world media coverage, perhaps for months to come. The Security Council resolution adopted on 22 December calling for more aid to be delivered to the Strip is a step in the right direction, but the situation for the civilian population remains desperate. Intensifying and monitoring the flow of aid will be the main responsibility of Sigrid Kaag, the newly appointed UN High Coordinator for Humanitarian Aid in Gaza, whose remit includes the reconstruction of the territory once the fighting ends.
Following the agreement reached at the UN Climate Conference COP28, where the world agreed for the first time to move away from fossil fuels, 26 January will be designated as International Clean Energy Day in 2024. The establishment of this day reflects the rapid growth in the use of renewable energy sources, which are becoming cheaper and more accessible to communities that have not previously had access to electricity.
February: the World Environment Parliament meets
The state of the environment will be high on the agenda in February when the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) meets. This "world environmental parliament" brings together governments, civil society groups, the scientific community and the private sector to highlight the most pressing environmental issues and improve global environmental governance. UNEA 2024 will be held from 26 February to 1 March at UNEP headquarters in Nairobi and will focus on climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.
Imagine not having access to education in your mother tongue. This is the fate of approximately 40 % of the world's population. On 21 February, the United Nations celebrates International Mother Language Day to raise awareness of the importance of multilingual education in a child's first language.
March: the fight for women's rights
The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), which is of great importance, has been advocating for gender equality measures for eight decades. CSW has contributed to some of the most widely adopted international conventions in UN history, including the 1967 Declaration on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and the 1995 Beijing Declaration, a key global policy document on gender equality. The 2024 session will take place from 11-22 March and will emphasize accelerating the achievement of gender equality, empowering women and girls by addressing poverty, and strengthening gender-sensitive institutions and financing.
In other news: Not a drop to drink
In 2015, the world committed to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 - the promise that by 2030, everyone will have access to safely managed water and sanitation. Yet we are far from the goal and billions of people are being constrained because they lack access to clean drinking water and sanitation. On World Water Day, 22 March, the UN is highlighting the need to accelerate change, often with the help of actor Matt Damon, who, as co-founder of the charity water.org, often appears at UN headquarters.
"Arranged in words, coloured by images, accompanied by just the right rhythm, the power of poetry is unparalleled," says Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), on the website of World Poetry Day, which is celebrated on 21 March. The day aims to promote the art form, especially in endangered languages.
April: indigenous peoples have their say
When the UN was created, the rights and priorities of indigenous peoples were not generally considered important, but this changed with the establishment of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), which is usually the largest assembly of nations in the UN system. The Forum was established in 2000 to give them a voice and enable them to meet to discuss global issues. The 2024 session, to be held from 15 to 26 April, is expected to have a youthful feel: many young indigenous leaders will be invited to speak about issues that affect them and their communities.
The United Nations Reproductive Rights Agency (UNFPA) will release its annual State of the World Population Report on 16 April, and is likely to reiterate the importance of women having autonomy over their own bodies and being able to make their own decisions about healthcare, sex or contraception.
What breaks down barriers, is a symbol of unity and peace and promotes new forms of expression? Yes, the answer is... jazz! That is why 30 April is International Jazz Day, led by the legendary pianist Herbie Hancock. Expect another star-studded concert to mark the day.
May: threats and opportunities of digital technologies
At the beginning of this century, we were increasingly aware that digital technologies would have a profound impact on our lives, for better or worse. In response, in 2003, governments and UN agencies came together at the first World Summit on the Information Society in the hope of adopting multilateral agreements on the use of technology. Twenty-one years later, and amid heightened concerns about the development and use of artificial intelligence, the summit is being held in Geneva from 27 to 31 May. Delegates will discuss the challenges and opportunities of new technologies and the importance of international agreements to govern their use.
Despite their small size and population, small island developing states (SIDS) have attracted a lot of attention at recent climate conferences, raising awareness of the existential threat posed by the climate crisis: some island states are at risk of being completely submerged in the coming years due to sea level rise. Sustainable development and resilience in the face of the crisis will be the focus of the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States, to be held in Antigua and Barbuda from 27-30 May.
It's around us all day and we take it for granted, but light plays a role in science, culture and art. The UN celebrates International Day of Light on 16 May, the anniversary of the first successful use of lasers in 1960.
June: the road to prosperity for landlocked developing countries
Landlocked developing countries face specific challenges, ranging from high transport costs to expensive imports and isolation from world markets. Against this background, the UN organised a conference in Almaty, Kazakhstan, in 2003 to address the needs of these countries. Twenty-one years on, the third edition (LLDC3) will be held in Kigali, Rwanda, on 18-21 June. Delegates will be tasked with creating a new development agenda for landlocked developing countries for the next decade.
On 21 June, many rolled-up mats will pass through the security gates of the UN headquarters, where colleagues will try to squeeze into positions named after cows, cats, dogs and crows, some more gracefully than others. The occasion is part of the celebration of International Yoga Day, which is celebrated for its physical, mental and spiritual benefits.
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