The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, or DE SA, helps countries around the world meet their economic, social and environmental challenges. It operates within a framework of internationally agreed upon goals known as the UN development agenda: a shared vision of human progress rooted in the values of freedom, equality, solidarity, tolerance, respect for nature and mutual responsibility.

1. DESA in the UN system
DESA is part of the UN Secretariat, which is funded through
regular assessed contributions from Member States. The
Department was reorganized into its present form in 1997
and is headed by Sha Zukang. As Under-Secretary-General for
Economic and Social Affairs, Mr. Sha manages the Department,
advises the Secretary-General on social, economic and sustainable
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United Nations
development, and nurtures key partnerships with governments, UN
agencies and civil society organizations. The Under-Secretary-
General also convenes the Executive Committee on Economic
and Social Affairs, the UN Secretariat’s network for joint Department of Economic and Social Affairs
Promoting development
planning and initiatives on development.
In directing and managing DESA, the Under-Secretary-General
for all
is supported by the Assistant Secretary-General for Economic the United nations department of economic and
Development, the Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Social Affairs, or deSA, helps countries around the
Coordination and Inter-Agency Affairs, and the Assistant world meet their economic, social and environ-
Secretary-General and Special Adviser to the Secretary-General
For more information
mental challenges. It operates within a framework
on Gender Issues and the Advancement of Women. of internationally agreed upon goals known as the UN
United Nations development agenda: a shared vision of human progress
Within the framework of the UN development agenda, each
division within DESA performs a critical function in promoting
Department of Economic and Social Affairs rooted in the values of freedom, equality, solidarity,
development for all. Room DC2-2310 tolerance, respect for nature and mutual responsibility.
New York, NY 10017
USA the Un development agenda emerged over the
Forging global consensus Telephone: +1 212 963 1707
last two decades from the work of United nations
conferences and summits. It represents an unprece-
By organizing global conferences and summits (mandated dented global consensus on a comprehensive set of
by UN Member States), DESA has helped countries find com-
Fax: +1 212 963 1010 issues ranging from poverty reduction, health and women’s
mon ground and elaborate plans of action on issues including E-mail: esa@un.org empowerment to governance, finance and the environment.
sustainable development, population, gender equality, social Internet: www.un.org/esa/desa Advances in these and other areas are being measured
development, financing for development and other key areas through the Millennium Development Goals, an integral
of concern. Together, these conferences have given shape to part of the UN development agenda. In addition, the agenda
development strategies for achieving better standards of living – and DESA – address systemic issues affecting people’s lives
in larger freedom – as envisioned by the UN Charter. Advancement of women Social development Statistics Population Fi and livelihoods. These include the impact of globalization,
Development policy analysis Public administration Sustainable forest inequalities among and within countries, the participation
At the 2005 World Summit, global leaders agreed to strengthen management Financing for development Social development Statistics of developing countries in global economic governance,
the role of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) as the Population Development policy analysis Public administration Sustainable global crises, including climate change, and the relationship
principal UN body for development cooperation and dialogue
forest management Financing for development Social development between development and conflict.
on economic and social issues. An Annual Ministerial Review
Statistics Population Development policy analysis Public administration
Sustainable forest management Financing fdevelopment Social develop- deSA’s mission, to promote development for all,
of development policy and a multi-stakeholder Development
Cooperation Forum were established. especially the most vulnerable, reflects a fundamental
ment Statistics Population Development policy analsis Public admin-
A pillAr for
concern for equity and equality in countries large
DESA serves as the secretariat to ECOSOC and its subsidiary istration Sustainable forest management FinancinPublic development
and small, developed and developing. It underscores
bodies, and supports their deliberations and consensus-building. administrationSustainable forest management Financing for development the need for all stakeholders – governments, UN and other
This demands high-level engagement on many global devel- Social development Statistics Pop ulation Development policy analy- international organizations, civil society and the private
opment issues and consultation with UN system organizations,
the private sector and civil society.
promoting
sis Public administration Sustainable forest managemen Financing for sector – to do their part to improve economic and social
developmnt Social development StatistiPopulation Development policy well-being. This focus on equitable participation by all peo-
Over the last decade, consensus-building has become far more
sociAl And
analysis Public administration Sustainable forest management Financing ple and nations is what makes the United Nations unique
inclusive through increased participation by civil society organi-
zations in UN deliberations. Facilitated by DESA’s outreach, a
large number of accredited civil society representatives now
attend ECOSOC sessions as well as its functional commissions
and forums each year.
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United Nations
for development Public administration Sustainable forest management and gives the development agenda its universal legitimacy.
Financing for development Social development Population Population
economic
Development policy analysis Public administration Sustainable for-
est manageme nt Financing for development Social development
development for all neither begins nor ends with the
adoption of global agreements. Rather, it progresses in
Statistics Population Development policy analysis Public administration five stages. First, the international community must identify
Department of Economic and Social Affairs
development
Sustainable forest management inancing fodevelopment Social develop- the most pressing global concerns and assess policy options
ment Statistics Population Development policy analysis Public admin- to address them. Second, through dialogue among stake-
istration Sustainable forest management Financing for development holders, consensus is built on goals, guiding principles
administrationSustainable forest management Financing for development and solutions. Third, countries commit to specific courses
of action, which include time-bound targets. Fourth,
Social development Statistics Population Development policy analysis
commitments are translated into action at global, regional,
Public administration Sustainable Financing for development Social devel- country and local levels. Fifth, progress is monitored and
opment Statistics Population Development policy analysis Public adminis- evaluated, so that priorities, policies and actions can be
tration Sustainable forest management Financing for development admin- realigned to overcome any obstacles. DESA supports all of
Published at the United Nations / 09-25031—July 2009—5,500
istration Sustainable forest management Financing for development Social these actions, as described on the following pages.

2. Translating global Social development www.un.org/esa/socdev Development policy analysis www.un.org/esa/policy Conducting cutting-
commitments into
The Division for Social Policy and Development promotes
awareness and understanding of the core social issues of poverty
The Development Policy and Analysis Division is the main
development research unit of the United Nations. Its aim is to edge research
eradication, employment generation and social integration. The
national action
provide the analytical basis for strengthening international
Division assists governments and civil society organizations in development cooperation and fostering effective integration DESA’s professional staff research a wide range of economic,
formulating social policies that foster more secure, just, free and of all countries into the world economy. Monitoring the global social and environmental issues, identifying trends and analysing
For more than 50 years, DESA and its predecessors have harmonious societies: societies in which all members – young economic and social situation, promoting macroeconomic policy options. These studies are essential to UN negotiations
been providing interregional technical assistance to and old, rich and poor, persons with disabilities and indigenous policy coordination, and analysing development trends to and guide global technical cooperation efforts. Each year, some
peoples alike – are active participants. The Division serves as improve implementation of the UN development agenda are 300 documents and 300 publications are distributed in print
countries seeking specialized development expertise.
the secretariat of the Commission for Social Development, the and electronic formats around the world.
DESA also manages the Development Account, a fund among its core functions.
Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, and the Convention on
established by the General Assembly to help countries DESA’s analytical activities include assessments of the world
meet their development challenges. The Department’s the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. economic and social situation, which have been a mainstay
of the global dialogue on development since the 1940s. In
approach emphasizes sustained capacity development. Public administration www.unpan.org/dpag
producing its surveys, DESA also draws on experts in universities,
DESA is based in New York, but collaborates closely with Sustainable development www.un.org/esa/sustdev The Division for Public Administration and Development private research organizations, government agencies and
UN and other development partners at regional and Management assists countries in building public institutions central banks throughout the world.
country levels in formulating and implementing national The Division for Sustainable Development is an authoritative and government capacity to promote sustainable development,
Moreover, DESA plays a central role in monitoring and imple-
development strategies. source of expertise within the UN system on development that advance public sector reform and improve service delivery. The
menting global commitments to economic and social progress,
recognizes the rights of current and future generations. As sec- Division’s training and capacity-building activities promote including the Millennium Development Goals. National reports
retariat to the Commission on Sustainable Development, the citizen-oriented, efficient and effective government, based on on sustainable development, social development, gender
Division promotes sustainable development through inclusive the principles of transparency, accountability and civic partici- equality and the empowerment of women, population and
forms of participation and partnership, as well as through tech- pation. The Division stresses innovative approaches to public forests are synthesized with data and analyses to review
nical cooperation and capacity-building. The Division advances management, in particular through e-government and expansion
ECoSoC support and coordination advances on many fronts, including financing for development,
implementation of Agenda 21 and the Johannesburg Plan of of the information society. energy, water and sanitation, consumption and production and
www.un.org/esa/coordination/desc.htm
Implementation, along with the Barbados Programme of Action public administration.
The Office for ECOSOC Support and Coordination assists the and the Mauritius Strategy for the Sustainable Development of
Small Island Developing States. DESA produces authoritative population estimates and projections
General Assembly and Economic and Social Council in reaching
Sustainable forest management that are used the world over. DESA also oversees the global
consensus on global development issues. It does so by facili-
tating negotiations among Member States based on substan-
www.un.org/esa/forests statistical system, providing a basis for informed evaluation
and design of strategies for achieving development goals.
tive support from DESA and the entire UN system. The Office
Statistics unstats.un.org The Secretariat of the UN Forum on Forests promotes sustainable
advises on follow-up to the UN development agenda and forest management based on the goals and commitments of
actively engages UN agencies, including the international The Statistics Division is committed to the advancement of the Agenda 21, the Rio Declaration, Statement of Forest Principles,
financial and trade institutions, in charting common courses of global statistical system. It serves as the secretariat to the UN Global Objectives on Forests, and the Non-legally Binding
action. Reaching out to civil society is an important aspect of the Statistical Commission, coordinates global statistical activities, Instrument on All Types of Forests. The Secretariat prepares
Office’s work. Hundreds of non-governmental organizations compiles and disseminates statistical information, develops technical reports, supports policy discussions on forest issues,
apply for official consultative status with the UN each year. methodological standards and norms, and supports national and is the UN focal point on all matters relating to forest policy.
statistical systems. The Division facilitates the access to UN It also serves as the secretariat for the Collaborative Partnership
statistical resources covering a wide range of economic, social, on Forests, a network of international organizations commit-
demographic, environmental and geographic data sources ted to the adoption of sustainable practices in global forest
Advancement of women
which are available on-line free of charge through UNdata. management.
www.un.org/womenwatch/daw
Grounded in the vision of equality laid out in the United
Nations Charter, the Division for the Advancement of Women Population www.un.org/esa/population Financing for development www.un.org/esa/ffd
advocates for the equality of women with men throughout
the world– as equal actors and beneficiaries in sustainable The Population Division studies population dynamics and moni- The Financing for Development Office provides secretariat
development and in the search for human rights and peace and tors worldwide demographic trends. Population estimates and support for sustained follow-up, at all levels, to the agreements
security. The Division works to advance the global agenda on projections prepared by the Division – on matters such as fertil- and commitments contained in the Monterrey Consensus and
gender equality and empowerment of women in close coor- ity, mortality, migration and urbanization, as well as population Doha Declaration. To this end, it promotes an inclusive inter-
dination with governments, the UN system and civil society. It size and structure – are widely used for policy formulation and governmental process, with the participation of all relevant
also seeks to ensure that women’s rights and priorities are fully programme design. In its role as substantive secretariat for the stakeholders, to address, in a coherent and integrated manner,
addressed in international policy arenas. The Division serves as Commission on Population and Development, the Division mon- such areas as domestic resource mobilization, private investment
the substantive secretariat to the Commission on the Status of itors implementation of the Programme of Action of the 1994 flows, international trade, official development assistance,
Women and supports follow-up to the Beijing Declaration and International Conference on Population and Development. The external debt and global financial and economic system and
Platform for Action. Division also develops demographic tools for governments. architecture.
T i mE l i N E o F mA jor C oNFErENCES AND SUmmiTS SiNCE 1990 Millennium Summit International Conference on
Third UN Conference on the Financing for Development Follow-up International
World Education Forum Least Developed Countries World Summit on Sustainable 2005 World Summit Conference on Financing
World Summit for Children International Conference Development for Development
United Nations on Population and Social Summit +5 Special Session of the GA International Ministerial 10-year Review of the to Review the
World Conference on Conference on Development Fourth World Second UN for an overall review and ap- Second World Assembly on Conference of Landlocked Copenhagen Declaration Implementation of the
Education for All Environment and Conference Conference on Special Session of the praisal of the implementation Ageing and Transit Developing and Programme of Action Monterrey Consensus
Development Global Conference on the on Women Human Settlements General Assembly for of the Habitat Agenda Countries
Second UN Conference Sustainable Development (HABITAT II) the 5 year review of Special Session of the General 10-year Review 10-year Review of the High-level event on the
on the Least Developed International World Conference of Small Island Developing World Summit for the Beijing Declaration Special Session of the General Assembly on Children World Summit on the of the Barbados Beijing Declaration and Millennium Development
Countries Conference on Nutrition on Human Rights States Social Development World Food Summit and Platform for Action Assembly on HIV/AIDS World Food Summit +5 Information Society Programme of Action Platform for Action Goals
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