Through the ILO’s SCORE programme more than 1,700 small and medium-sized enterprises have improved safety, productivity and competitiveness, helping them grow and create better jobs.
Economic Development
UNCTAD projects global economic growth will ease to 2.6% in 2025 and 2026, reflecting slowing momentum in major economies as temporary trade and digital boosts fade.
Nestled between majestic mountains and shimmering waters, Kyrgyzstan’s Issyk-Kul Basin is more than a scenic wonder, it is a living landscape rich in biodiversity, cultural heritage, and community spirit. Today, this region is at the heart of a powerful movement to restore and protect nature through a global initiative that supports community-led conservation and empowerment by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP), implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The initiative promotes sustainable agriculture and organic farming, restoration of wetlands and wild plant habitats, ecotourism and youth education and community training. It combines innovation with traditional knowledge.
In 2025, the global community notched important achievements for human well-being. But conflict, disasters and other crises clouded the skies over the development landscape. Against strong headwinds, countries took determined steps towards realizing their visions for a sustainable development. And the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) was at their side. Marking its 60th anniversary, UNDP continued to evolve to meet the complex challenges of the present while laying the foundations for a more resilient future. Here are some snapshots from its work with partners, in 2025.
In Nepal’s remote Nubri Valley, Tergar Charity Nepal, founded in 2018 by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, merges Indigenous knowledge with nature-based solutions to fight climate change. In 2021, the initiative tackled COVID-19-driven food shortages in Samagaun by building 62 bioclimatic solar greenhouses for year-round organic farming. Combining modern and traditional techniques, these earthquake-resistant structures improve food security and strengthen resilience against climate shocks.
In the Himalayan mountains of Bhutan, women in the village of Goenpa Kabab weave intricate silk Kishuthara dresses on backstrap looms, a skill passed down through generations in a Buddhist, matriarchal community. Sherab Tshomo, a 41-year-old artisan, has been perfecting this craft since age eight, which involves dyeing raw silk with local plants and using traditional methods to create detailed patterns. Despite the high value of these garments within Bhutan and abroad, many women artisans struggle to access international markets, including the global fashion industry, to showcase their artistry and heritage.
Global trade is set to grow 7% in 2025, driven by East Asia, Africa and manufacturing, reaching a record $35 trillion despite persistent imbalances and rising geopolitical fragmentation.
Young people remain at the heart of the fight against corruption. Deeply affected by its consequences, they are uniquely positioned to uphold ethical standards in their communities and challenge corruption at every level. Building on the 2024 campaign launched on International Anti-Corruption Day (9 December), the 2025 campaign continues to highlight the role of young guardians of integrity as advocates, raising awareness about corruption. This year’s effort features young leaders sharing insights on links between organised crime and corruption and the key role of AI and emerging technologies.
The international civil aviation sector stands at a pivotal moment of growth and transformation. By 2050, the industry is expected to serve over 12 billion passengers annually and transport significantly larger volumes of cargo, underscoring its vital role in global connectivity and economic development. The International Civil Aviation Day seeks to highlight the importance of worldwide air transport to the social and economic progress of Member States, as well as ICAO’s unique role in fostering cooperation among governments to achieve a truly global rapid transit network that serves all humanity.
An UNCTAD report shows prolonged military operations and restrictions have devastated the Palestinian economy, erasing two decades of progress, with Gaza’s GDP per capita at $161 and the entire population facing multidimensional poverty.
Sustainable transport is linked to resilient infrastructure development, food security, economic growth, trade, global supply chains, health promotion, energy efficiency, and climate action. It is also reflected in several Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) targets and recognized as an enabler for achieving many of the goals. World Sustainable Transport Day (26 November) marks the start of the UN Decade of Sustainable Transport (2026–2035), creating an opportunity to raise awareness of transport’s vital role in advancing the SDGs and to mobilize solutions, resources, and partnerships globally.
The World Bank’s IDA21 programme is working to help people in the world’s poorest countries by using $100 billion in financial commitments to create jobs, improve services, and protect the planet.
Rural women are the innovators, leaders and changemakers at the core of our planet’s food systems. That’s why supporting them is essential to building a sustainable future. In honour of the International Day of Rural Women, we’re celebrating their vital contributions. In a new episode of IFAD’s Farms.Food.Future podcast, we explore how empowering women through training, access to resources, and leadership opportunities creates stronger rural communities and leads to measurable improvements in income, food security, and resilience.
In Brazil's Pajeú region, marked by inequality and historical struggles like the cangaço movement- groups of bandits who challenged the entrenched power of large landowners-, women played vital roles in resistance and community resilience despite being marginalized. Environmental challenges, especially water scarcity due to the degraded Pajeú river basin, compounded their difficulties. To combat these issues, the Community Association of Women from Bom Sucesso, with support from the GEF Small Grants Programme and UNDP, launched a project to empower women through sustainable agriculture and political participation. They constructed cisterns for rainwater harvesting, promoting female leadership and agroecological practices in their semi-arid environment.
Züleyha Ceylan, a 22-year-old in Düzce, Türkiye, drives her blue truck to tend to her beehives. Adorned in a canary-yellow beekeeping suit, she calmly inspects her hives, finding joy and energy in the buzzing bees. Despite skepticism from her community about her choice, Züleyha’s parents supported her passion for beekeeping. With high local demand for honey and minimal land required, she produced 100 kilograms of honey this year, selling it through friends and social media. Züleyha aims to expand her business to include products like royal jelly and create jobs for others, bolstered by training from the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO).