Mongolians lost more than 13 percent of their livestock during the last severe winter, known as the dzud. For rural communities, protecting biodiversity is not just about conserving wildlife—it’s about securing their own future. 

Reducing poverty and inequality. Promoting human rights and governance. Building resilience to disaster and crisis. UNDP works to improve lives in more than 170 countries and territories. Here are some of the highlights of its work from the past year.

Service exports, representing 25% of global trade, grew by 5% in 2023, outpacing the contraction in merchandise trade and gaining traction as a development strategy.

Experts emphasize the significance of establishing a second Decade for People of African Descent for the period 2025-2034, building on the progress made during the first decade (2015-2024). 

They argue that such an initiative is essential to addressing ongoing challenges faced by people of African descent globally, including racial inequality, discrimination, and the need for greater inclusion. By focusing on areas like education, employment, health, and human rights, the proposed second decade aims to further empower African communities, promote social justice, and enhance their contributions to societies worldwide

International migrants make up 4.7% of the global labor force, playing a crucial role in economic growth, yet face challenges such as higher unemployment and gender disparities.

In Magdalena Milpas Altas, Guatemala, Marla Chanta, a 45-year-old artisan, creates opportunities for her family and community. Initially expected to focus on household duties, she embraced traditional craftsmanship, joining Wakami—a social enterprise empowering rural women through sustainable business and education. Founded by Maria Pacheco 20 years ago, Wakami helps women like Marla generate income through handcrafted goods, aiming to improve their lives and protect the environment. In 2023, the Mountain Partnership of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) partnered with Wakami connecting women artisans' cultural heritage with contemporary design. In 2024, Italian designer Vivia Ferragamo collaborated with Wakami to create a collection reflecting local traditions and culture.

With IFAD's support, rural farmers in North Africa and the Middle East are improving their marketing skills, boosting incomes, and gaining recognition for their high-quality products.

With over 9000 attendees from more than 175 countries and more than 300 sessions, the 19th annual meeting of the Internet Governance Forum opens its doors today in Riyadh for five days (15-19 December) of discussions on public policy issues about the Internet. Under the theme ''Building our Multistakeholder Digital Future'', the conference will focus on four main themes, including the digital contribution to peace, development and sustainability; human rights and inclusion in the digital age; improving digital governance of the Internet; and harnessing innovation in the digital age.

For Saeeda, a coffee farmer in Taiz, Yemen, her work is a legacy. Growing up on her family’s farm she learned to care for coffee trees from her parents. Now, as she tends to her family’s 8,400-square-metre plot, her love for the land and dedication to Yemen’s coffee heritage drive her amidst challenges from climate change. With rainfall declining, coffee farmers face significant hardships. To help, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Public Works Project and funded by the World Bank, has built rainwater-harvesting tanks in the region. These tanks have helped farmers like Saeeda maintain their crops during droughts. Saeeda dreams of a future where Yemeni youth continue the coffee legacy, encouraging them to recognize its economic and cultural value.

In Trinidad and Tobago, women united by a shared dream, are learning sewing skills to enhance their economic stability.

7 December 2024 marks the 80th anniversary of the signing of the Convention on International Civil Aviation in Chicago, United States. For eight decades, this defining international agreement has served as the foundation for the development of the global civil aviation system to the benefit of all nations. On this International Civil Aviation Day (7 December), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) invites everyone to celebrate its 80th anniversary and reflect on how aviation contributes to building safe, secure and sustainable future for all.

As the world faces pressing issues like poverty, inequality, and climate change, the poorest communities are often the hardest hit. The World Bank Group aims to provide social protection to at least 500 million people by 2030, including 250 million women. Economic inclusion programs are vital in boosting income and assets, offering pathways to better job opportunities and resilience. These initiatives now reach 15 million households, benefiting over 70 million people globally, largely through government-led efforts, with NGOs providing additional support. However, nearly 700 million people still live on less than $2.15 per day, highlighting the ongoing fight against extreme poverty and the need to scale up these programs.

“We need a major push to get discussions over the finishing line,” warned UN Secretary-General António Guterres ahead of the culmination of COP29. “The need is urgent. The rewards are great. The time is short”, he added. As the ongoing talks continue through the weekend, two main issues remain at stake: how to finance low-income countries hit hard by global warming and how to curb greenhouse gas emissions that are overheating the atmosphere and causing climate chaos.

Industrial symbiosis is a circular economy approach where businesses collaborate to repurpose waste and by-products, conserving resources and energy. This method not only benefits the environment but also presents new business opportunities and decent jobs. However, establishing these symbiotic value chains can be challenging, and ensuring that newly created jobs are both green and decent—especially in small and medium-sized enterprises—is not guaranteed. How can we effectively apply this concept to maximize benefits for businesses, workers, economies, and the environment? Sabrina de Gobbi, an International Labour Organization (ILO) Senior Economist, joins the Future of Work podcast to discuss what potential it has to ‘green’ economies and how we can ensure that the jobs it creates are decent.

Urgent action is needed to decouple economic growth from CO2 emissions, ensuring a sustainable future for all.

Bodo and Sanda are reinventing entrepreneurship in Madagascar, creating jobs and empowering youth through IFAD's Agribusiness Hubs.