https://stories.undp.org/women-money-ai-and-peace
In 2025, we begin the five-year countdown to the delivery date for the Sustainable Development Goals and mark the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement on climate change – both keen reminders of the urgent need to speed up and scale up critical development solutions.
In November, world leaders will gather at Second World Summit for Social Development to boost momentum on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. And throughout the year, key events and observances offer opportunities to highlight interconnected solutions and galvanize action.
A throughline for many of these events is the emphasis on four key themes with immense potential to transform our world: women, money, artificial intelligence and peace.
Women
Progress on SDG 5 on gender equality will also push us forward on all the other SDGs.
In 2025, the global community marks the thirtieth anniversary of the historic Fourth World Conference on Women and adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
The sixty-ninth session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), taking place in March, will review the implementation of the Platform for Action. This will include an assessment of how the Platform for Action is contributing to achieving the SDGs as well as the challenges that are hindering progress on gender equality and women’s empowerment.
s conflicts rage around the world, this year is also the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. This landmark resolution acknowledges the particular impacts of conflict on women and girls and emphasizes the need for their active participation in peacebuilding and conflict resolution processes.
UNDP’s work is underpinned by the knowledge that empowering women is not just about equity; it is essential for building a resilient, sustainable future for all. By promoting human rights and gender-equal economies, UNDP fosters an inclusive economic environment, where women can thrive, participate in decision-making, and fully contribute to and benefit from sustainable development.
Money
SDG 17 calls for global solidarity and partnership to mobilize the resources needed to achieve the SDGs.
Several major conferences this year will focus on reshaping the global financial architecture to support the SDGs and the Paris Agreement on climate change. World leaders, public development banks, private sector leaders and philanthropists will come together at the 5th Finance in Common Summit in February. In June, the Financing for Development Conference will assess the progress made in the implementation of the Addis Ababa Action agenda and other agreements on development finance.
.jpg?auto=webp)
Resource mobilization will be a primary focus at the 2025 UN Climate Change Conference, COP30, in November. In what many are calling our last chance to avert climate system breakdown, countries must increase investment and ambition to tackle the climate crisis. Ahead of the COP, observers will be looking to the G7 Leaders’ Summit in June for potential announcements of new funding to help developing countries transition to green economies.
The theme of the 2025 High Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development is “Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions”. It highlights that the resources needed to implement the SDGs go beyond money. Underscoring this message, the UN General Assembly has declared 2025 the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology. Engaging the scientific community, the Year will explore the potential of quantum science and technology to advance the SDGs, particularly climate, energy, food security and clean water.
From finance to technology and know-how, UNDP works to connect countries and communities with the resources they need to achieve the SDGs and meet their climate action targets. Together with partners and through the Sustainable Finance Hub and other initiatives, we are making strides towards mobilizing US$1 trillion in public and private finance in support of the SDGs by the end of 2025
Artificial intelligenc
AI and other digital technologies impact nearly every aspect of our lives. UNDP is determined to make sure they are a force for good in sustainable development.
Two major conferences present opportunities to foster responsible and inclusive digital transformation for sustainable development. Hosted by France, the AI Action Summit in February will tackle issues including AI in the public interest, the future of work and AI governance. AI also tops the agenda at the 2nd Hamburg Sustainability Conference (HSC). Building on the inaugural conference in October 2024, the HSC aims to strengthen global alliances to further the SDGs and address conflicts and other factors that are hindering progress.
The 2025 edition of UNDP’s flagship Human Development Report will focus on digital transformation and AI for human development. The Report will navigate how digitalization and AI are reshaping key areas of human development, including health, education, social norms, relationships, employment, and agency. UNDP believes in the ethical and transparent development and use of AI technologies to ensure they are broadly accessible and serve to improve people’s lives
Peac
Conflicts hold back progress on all of the Goals. SDG 16 provides a vision for peaceful and inclusive societies, with strong institutions and universal access to justice.
Violence and insecurity in our societies fuel greater inequalities and divert resources away from development priorities. Recognizing that peace is a prerequisite for sustainable economic and social development, UN Member States have declared 2025 the International Year of Peace and Trust
The General Assembly resolution calls on the international community to “resolve conflicts through inclusive dialogue and negotiation in order to ensure the strengthening of peace and trust in relations between Member States as a value that promotes sustainable development, peace and security, and human rights”.
UNDP works to advance progress on SDG 16, recognizing the centrality of steady governance and respect for human rights to ensure long-term peace and prosperity for people everywhere. In crisis situations, we work alongside humanitarian agencies to deliver emergency assistance while laying the groundwork for early recovery so countries can quickly get back on track.
