Determined
to act in an increasingly
complex world
In my Annual Report for 2023, I highlight inspiring examples of the impact of the United Nations work across the globe, based on our determination and belief that a better world is not only necessary, but within our grasp.
The past year was marked by increasingly complex crises for our world – poverty, inequality, hunger and rising unemployment; an uneven and uncertain global economic outlook; the escalating climate emergency; and conflicts, in particular the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation. In every case, the poorest and most vulnerable people and communities are hit hardest.
The women and men of the United Nations are determined in our efforts to address today’s cascading crises and set humanity on a new path to peace, stability and prosperity.
ANTÓNIO GUTERRES, United Nations Secretary-General
Over 36,000 UN Secretariat staff worldwide
Working to build a safer, more equal and sustainable world
Last year's highlights
© UN Photo/Harandane Dicko
Determined to
Promote peace
We deployed 53 peacekeeping operations, special political missions and support offices to prevent conflict and support peacebuilding.
© OCHA/Giles Clarke
Determined to
Save lives and livelihoods
We helped mobilize a record $30 billion to assist 216 million people caught in humanitarian crises.
Determined to
Rescue the Sustainable Development Goals
Our UN Resident Coordinators supported partners in 162 countries and territories to help accelerate the 2030 Agenda.
Determined to
Promote human rights
Our advocacy helped establish an international independent expert mechanism to advance racial justice and equality in law enforcement.
© UN-Women/WiLDAF Tanzania
Determined to
Reach gender equality
We are on track to achieve overall gender parity in the UN and are committed to the empowerment of women and girls everywhere.
© UNEP/Kadir van Lohuizen
Determined to
Protect our oceans
We helped facilitate the historic “Treaty of the High Seas” on marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction.
Determined to
Build a United Nations 2.0
We are enhancing our expertise in data, digital, innovation, strategic foresight, and behavioural science to better assist Member States in the 21st Century.
© UN Photo/Rick Bajornas
Determined to
Address the triple planetary crisis: climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss
We helped get agreement on a historic loss and damage fund, we began negotiating a new legally binding agreement to end plastic pollution, we supported the adoption of a global biodiversity framework, and 161 countries voted on the human right to a clean and healthy environment.
Determined to
Build a more inclusive multilateralism
We worked with Member States to advance Our Common Agenda and create a better future of international cooperation.
© UNIS Vienna
Determined to
Promote disarmament
We convened the historic First Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
© UN Photo/Paulo Filgueiras
Determined to
Help combat drugs, crime, and terrorism
We organized the first-ever United Nations Global Congress of Victims of Terrorism.
© UN Photo/Cia Pak
Determined to
Transform education
Our Transforming Education Summit brought Member States together to recover ground lost during the pandemic and unlock the potential of technology for girls’ education.
Our work across key priority areas
The key priorities covered in the report correspond to the eight priorities established by the General Assembly each biennium, together with a final chapter
on the effective functioning of the Organization.
Sustainable Development
As the world’s population reached 8 billion in 2022, progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals has not only stalled but reversed in terms of poverty, employment, health, education and other areas. The triple planetary crisis – climate change, nature and biodiversity loss and pollution and waste – threatens all life forms, disproportionately affecting the poor. The COVID-19 pandemic and the global food and energy crises, exacerbated by the war in Ukraine, have further impeded progress in achieving the Goals. Women and other vulnerable groups bear the brunt, with a staggering 15 million more women now living in extreme poverty. The complex links between population growth, urban and rural divides, poverty and climate change underscore the urgency of recommitting to a global vision of sustainable development.
$1.9 billion
$526 million regular assessed and
$1.4 billion voluntary contributions
Peace and Security
Peace and security are threatened by the evolving nature of conflict, shrinking civic space, mis- and disinformation, hate speech, unregulated cyberspace, the climate emergency and the rollback of women’s rights. We are also seeing the highest levels of geostrategic competition in decades. While these trends have been present for some time, the war in Ukraine has sharpened global divisions among Member States. This environment undermines the effectiveness of the global peace and security architecture and challenges our ability to prevent, manage and mitigate conflicts and assist with peacemaking. To chart a path forward, we need a renewed commitment to multilateralism and the Charter of the United Nations, as called for in the declaration on the commemoration of the seventy-fifth anniversary of the United Nations and my report on Our Common Agenda. My proposed New Agenda for Peace will outline a vision for multilateral action for peace and security.
$7.3 billion
$932 million regular assessed,
$6 billion peacekeeping assessed (2021/2022) and
$367 million voluntary contributions
Development in Africa
We are now at the midpoint of implementing the 2030 Agenda and have just completed the first 10 years of Agenda 2063 of the African Union. However, the world is off track. Progress is insufficient. The COVID-19 pandemic and the food, energy and financial crises have contributed to a reversal of development gains. Decisive steps are needed to increase Africa’s ownership and resilience.
$109 million
$105 million regular assessed and
$4 million voluntary contributions (including Economic Commission for Africa)
Human Rights
Collectively, we face multiple challenges to human rights: widening economic and social gaps between and within countries, aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic, armed conflicts, impunity, rising costs of living, and the triple planetary crisis. Recognizing that human rights are essential for lasting peace, sustainable development and justice, we must ensure that human rights guide the solutions to our most pressing challenges. The seventy-fifth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in December 2023 is an opportunity to reinvigorate the consensus envisioned in the Declaration and to strengthen the United Nations human rights architecture.
$399 million
$158 million regular assessed, $2 million peacekeeping assessed (2021/2022) and
$239 million voluntary contributions
Humanitarian Assistance
The global humanitarian situation is dire. Critical challenges – protracted and new armed conflicts, the climate crisis and major disasters, record levels of displacement, hunger and the risk of famine, the continued effects of COVID-19, and the global economic slowdown – compound and cascade. These interconnected issues affect lives and livelihoods across the globe. At the same time, violations of international humanitarian law and human rights, including attacks on civilians, humanitarian workers, and health-care and education services, continue with impunity and have a disproportionate impact on women and children.
$2.6 billion
$108 million regular assessed and
$2.5 billion voluntary contributions
Justice and International Law
The principles of justice and international law, as well as the peaceful settlement of disputes, are enshrined in the first two Articles of the Charter of the United Nations. These principles therefore constitute the very foundation upon which the international community cooperates.
$220 million
$104 million regular assessed,
$4 million peacekeeping assessed (2021/2022),
$90 million other assessed and
$22 million voluntary contributions
Disarmament
There are mounting concerns over rising global tensions, active armed conflicts, increased military spending and heightened nuclear risk, as well as the threat of other weapons of mass destruction. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of adequate preparedness to prevent and respond to a broader range of risks, including biorisks. The proliferation and widespread availability of conventional arms, including illicit small arms and light weapons, affect international security, and the emergence of new technologies poses additional challenges.
$40 million
$15 million regular assessed and
$25 million voluntary contributions
Drugs, Crime and Terrorism
The compounding effects of climate change, COVID-19, political instability, war and displacement are exacerbating drug problems, organized crime, corruption and terrorism, especially in crisis settings and vulnerable areas. Links between illicit trade, financial flows and trafficking in all its forms are a growing concern, while terrorism continues to threaten international peace and security, particularly in conflict areas where terrorists exploit fragilities.
$452 million
$28 million regular assessed and
$424 million voluntary contributions
Delivering on our mandates
The United Nations Secretariat consists of over 36,000 staff in 474 duty stations across the globe. The work of the Secretariat is underpinned by the highest ethical standards of conduct, efficient use and management of all resources, and effective delivery of mandates.
$1.7 billion
$1.3 billion regular assessed,
$353 million peacekeeping assessed (2021/2022)
and $71 million voluntary contributions