United Nations

As the third year of war unfolds, the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine remains one of the most pressing global emergencies. The need for sustainable peace cannot be overstated.

“Terrorism and violent extremism remain persistent scourges. We see a dark spirit of impunity spreading.  The prospect of nuclear war remains – outrageously – a clear and present danger.”

India still faces significant hurdles in addressing climate change, pollution, and inequality. While India has made significant progress in reducing extreme poverty (Goal 1) and improving infrastructure (Goal 9), it lags behind in areas such as quality education (Goal 4), gender equality (Goal 5), and environmental sustainability (Goals 13, 14, and 15).

Nearly half of PM2.5 pollution in the worst-affected countries comes from the burning of fossil fuels, biomass, and agricultural waste – also major contributors to climate change. As extreme weather events worsen due to climate change, air pollution is expected to become an even greater threat, UNICEF warned.

According to Oxfam, the world’s richest 1 per cent are responsible for 15 per cent of global emissions. This class is mostly made up of millionaires, who now total nearly 60 million globally and are projected to grow in number to over 65 million by 2028

UN agencies responded on Tuesday to President Trump’s executive orders ending US membership of the World Health Organization and its adherence to the Paris Climate Agreement, highlighting the massive potential negative impact on public health and efforts to curb global warming.

Case studies from Ethiopia, Mexico, and the Netherlands highlight how targeted actions, informed by robust governance and a focus on resilience, can catalyse broader progress.

For UNDP, this is not only an area that requires urgent action but also a natural point of thematic convergence that brings together two of our areas of expertise: climate action and governance.