United Nations in India

India is critical in determining the success of the SDGs, globally. At the UN Sustainable Development Summit in 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi noted, “Sustainable development of one-sixth of humanity will be of great consequence to the world and our beautiful planet. It will be a world of fewer challenges and greater hope; and, more confident of its success”. NITI Aayog, the Government of India’s premier think tank, has been entrusted with the task of coordinating the SDGs, mapping schemes related to the SDGs and their targets, and identifying lead and supporting ministries for each target. In addition, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has been leading discussions for developing national indicators for the SDGs. State governments are key to India’s progress on the SDGs as they are best placed to ‘put people first’ and to ensuring that ‘no one is left behind’. The UN Country Team in India supports NITI Aayog, Union ministries and state governments in their efforts to address the interconnectedness of the goals, to ensure that no one is left behind and to advocate for adequate financing to achieve the SDGs.

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Publication

08 July 2025

UN in India Digest June 2025

In this edition of the UN India Digest, #TeamUNinIndia takes you through some of the impactful work we've been part of this past month. From driving AI innovation in telecom networks to supporting inclusive urban planning in Odisha, and tackling plastic pollution in India, learn more about our work to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals.

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Speech

02 January 2025

Celebrating the dynamic UN-India partnership!

As we step into the New Year, it is a moment to both reflect and look forward. From breakthroughs in public health and food security to major advances in poverty reduction, technology and climate action, 2024 has proven to be another transformative year in India – as it has been for us at the United Nations in India, all 26 entities partnering with government, civil society and business across every State and Union Territory, as well as with our international development partners. Fresh off hosting the G20 presidency last year, India reinforced its role as a leading ‘voice of the Global South,’ driving international discourse on climate justice, food security and health equity among other issues central to the Sustainable Development Goals. In an era of deep political polarization and tensions worldwide, it also demonstrated the strength and resilience of its democracy, the world’s largest, with more than 640 million people voting in the national election.   In parallel, India hosted major UN gatherings on key multilateral issues old and new. At the 2024 ITU World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly, held in New Delhi, new global agreements were reached on critical issues such as artificial intelligence (AI), sustainability and digital governance. With a strong focus on digital public infrastructure and emergency communications, India is at the forefront of setting digital standards that will impact the world for years to come.
  The country’s cultural heritage shone brightly on the global stage as India played host to the annual UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting for the first time. Notably, Assam’s moidams — the Mound-Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty — became India’s 43rd site on the World Heritage List.

  On the ground, too, 2024 saw significant innovations across the country tackling India’s most pressing challenges with the UN proud to play a role. For example, Odisha launched a new 24-hour ‘Grain ATM’, a collaboration between WFP and the State Government. This technological advancement streamlines the public distribution system, reducing waiting times and ensuring that the most vulnerable have greater food security. UN Women led collective action on gender equality, globally the ‘unfinished business of our time’ in the words of the UN Secretary-General, while ILO convened the system to help unleash India’s unequalled potential demographic dividend.

Another major milestone was reached with India formally declaring the end of trachoma as a public health problem, overcoming one of the leading global causes of blindness. By implementing the WHO SAFE strategy — targeting treatment, prevention, and hygiene — India dramatically reduced infection rates. This success underscores the power of coordinated efforts between government, health-care workers, and international partners.  India’s digital public infrastructure continues to set global benchmarks. The U-WIN platform, supported by UNDP, has been instrumental in modernizing vaccine distribution, ensuring accessibility and equity in immunization. This leap builds on previous successes like eVIN and CoWIN, and links with work of WHO and UNICEF, strengthening India’s ability to respond to public health challenges both now and in the future.


This year saw the update and release of the India’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2024-2030) supported by UNDP. This strategic plan aims to set nature on a recovery trajectory by embracing a 'whole-of-government' and 'whole-of-society' approach.
The UN family in India also celebrated several milestones in 2024. UNICEF marked 75 years of programming in the country to improve the health, safety and rights of children, while UNFPA commemorated 50 years, having contributed significantly to advancing sexual and reproductive health, especially for women and girls.Inclusion remained a central theme of the UN’s work in India this year. A joint non-discrimination statement on the employment of persons with disabilities was signed by all 26 UN agencies operating in the country.We formed a Multilateral Coordination Group with the government to bring together UN agencies, tailor programs for the welfare of persons with disabilities, and adapt global best practices to the Indian context.

As we approach the UN’s 80th anniversary next year, the momentum gained this past year will be crucial in advancing the initiatives outlined in the Pact for the Future that was adopted by all UN Member States, including India, at UN Headquarters in September. This landmark agreement, along with its key annexes — the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations — reflects a global commitment to building a peaceful, sustainable, and inclusive future, and to making the UN more effective and relevant for dealing with tomorrow’s challenges. India’s leadership in adopting and advancing these resolutions, particularly in strengthening South-South cooperation and prioritizing the voices of youth, will be vital in shaping the future.
Across six outcome groups of the Cooperation Framework, the UN in India has consistently driven impactful results through collective action and partnerships. Just a few of the highlights include:Health and well-being: Through the U-WIN platform, over 17 million pregnant women and 59 million children have been digitally registered, and more than 264 million vaccine doses have been tracked.Nutrition and food security: More than 12.3 million Indians, including children and breastfeeding mothers, received nutritious fortified foods.Quality education: We helped train 18,000 teachers as Health and Wellness Ambassadors across 26,000 schools spanning 33 districts.Economic growth and decent work: Conducted health and safety training to improve the working conditions at nearly 300 tea-growing estates.Environment, climate, WASH, and resilience: 2.9 million tons of CO2 emissions reduced through energy conservation and climate-friendly initiatives Empowering people, communities, and institutions: Supported the government in expanding gender-responsive budgeting in six states, leading to increased funding for women’s empowerment and gender equality.One of the standout moments of 2024 was when Major Radhika Sen from the Indian Army, serving as an Indian peacekeeper in the Democratic Republic of Congo, received this year’s UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award.
Additionally, the fourth edition of the SDG India Index produced by NITI Aayog with support from the UN showed India’s score rising to 71 out of 100, up from 66 in the previous edition.As we enter 2025, the race to achieve the SDGs enters a critical phase. With only half of the Decade of Action left, the urgency is unmistakable. This year has demonstrated the power of purpose and partnerships. From safeguarding cultural heritage to pioneering advancements in technology, India is showing how nations can drive sustainable growth while addressing global challenges.  The United Nations, a humble partner working alongside India in this journey, remains committed to ensuring that progress benefits everyone. As I could not have begun to fully cover here the wide range of collaborations in which the UNCT is engaged, please have a look at our monthly newsletters on our website, or the annual report which will be issued within the first quarter of 2025, for more exhaustive stories of our work. The path ahead is steep, but with shared resolve, a more equitable and sustainable future is within reach. India is uniquely positioned among nations to accelerate development results at a scale and pace sufficient to give the global SDG push a vital boost, and with it optimism towards 2030.On behalf of the UN in India family, I am pleased to share our deep appreciation for your partnership in the year that was, and in anticipation of the important collective path ahead.Dhanyavaad!Shombi Sharp
United Nations Resident Coordinator, India

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15 January 2025

WMO joins IMD’s 150th celebration

India recorded its hottest year on record in 2024, with extreme heat impacting human health, agriculture, water resources, and energy. Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), highlighted these challenges during the 150th anniversary celebrations of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on 14 January. The event, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Minister of Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh, celebrated IMD’s achievements and introduced Vision-2047, aimed at making India a climate-resilient nation by the time it celebrates 100 years of independence.“We aim to modernise meteorology and reduce weather-related fatalities,” Modi said. “This Vision will contribute to a sustainable future.”Saulo praised IMD’s role in disaster risk reduction and its support to sectors such as agriculture, water resource management, and public health.“IMD’s legacy has significantly enhanced India’s resilience and contributed to global efforts,” she said.India, a founding member of WMO since 1950, has been represented on its Executive Board for over 60 years, longer than any other country in the Asia-Pacific region. IMD’s role in severe weather forecasting, flash flood warnings, and seasonal climate outlooks was also acknowledged. “Accurate forecasts and coordinated disaster management have saved countless lives,” Saulo remarked, noting that IMD’s commitment to early warning systems aligns with WMO’s Early Warnings for All campaign to safeguard people from extreme weather worldwide.

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16 October 2024

Global conference begins on future of digital tech standards

Thousands of tech experts, industry leaders, policymakers, researchers and government officials have gathered in New Delhi for a global United Nations-run conference on the future of technology standards. The World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) formally opened on 15 October in the capital’s Bharat Mandapam venue with an opening ceremony featuring Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. WTSA, taking place in the Asia-Pacific region for the first time, runs until 24 October. It is being held alongside the India Mobile Congress. Held every four years, WTSA sets out priorities for experts around the world who work year-round to develop the standards established by the UN’s International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The assembly’s opening heard calls for universal connectivity, the need for ethical artificial intelligence (AI) and how digital inclusion can make a meaningful difference to people’s lives.

In his remarks, Mr. Modi stressed that “security, dignity and equity” are the principles on which discussions at the assembly and congress should be based.

“Our objective should be that no country, no region and no community should be left behind the in this digital era,” he said.

ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin said the world had a lot to learn from what India has already accomplished with its digital public infrastructure. “This global gathering calls for bold, collective action. In the next 10 days, we can strengthen the role of international standards as the bedrock of global digital governance,” she said.

ITU's standardization work is driven by the contributions and consensus decisions of the agency’s membership, which includes 194 Member States and more than 1,000 member companies, universities, and international and regional organizations.

WTSA reviews the strategy, structure and working methods of ITU's standardization arm every four years. It also approves the mandates and appoints the leadership teams of expert groups for international standardization.

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17 October 2025

Counting everyone, caring for all: Why inclusive censuses power disability rights, health equity, and dignity

The ballroom in sunny Goa wore a cheerful shade of purple as delegates from nearly 15 countries gathered under the banner of the International Purple Fest 2025. It was not just another policy meet. The music, the laughter, the art on the walls, the excitement, all of it stood testament to the power of inclusion and diversity to build a better world for all.Amid the applause came a hard conversation: the world still doesn’t know how many of its citizens live with disabilities.According to the World Health Organization (WHO) Globally, one in six people - over a billion human beings - live with some form of disability,
Yet governments around the world continue to undercount. India’s own official statistics report just 2.2 percent, a number experts say conceals millions because of stigma, narrow definitions, and outdated survey tools.“Without accurate data, even the best laws remain empty promises,” said Dr. Mohummed Asheel, WHO’s National Professional Officer for Disabilities and Rehabilitation in India. “We have policies, but we cannot plan rehabilitation or health services without knowing who and where people are.”Dr. Asheel recalled Kerala’s 2016 disability-specific census - an experiment that introduced geo-tagging and individual care planning. “We learned that data can save lives,” he said. “During the 2018 floods, the ability to locate people with specific disabilities made rescue more effective. Imagine if every country could do that in their next census.”

That idea resonated far beyond India. Yonten Jamesho, Program Officer from Disabled People's Organization of Bhutan (DPO Bhutan) described how his country uses the philosophy of Gross National Happiness to weave inclusion into policy. “Counting is not just arithmetic,” he said. “It tells us whether happiness is equally shared. We follow the Washington Group’s international questions so our data can be compared globally. If India now counts 21 disability types, that sets a model we want to follow.”
Across sessions, UN agencies echoed the same theme: a data revolution for inclusion.

The UNICEF panel on children’s rights added another missing layer. Vandhana Khandari, Child Protection Specialist at UNICEF India, spoke about the invisibility of children with disabilities. “Globally, we estimate that children with disabilities face up to three times higher risk of violence and neglect,” she said. “In South Asia, many are still not even counted. A child unseen in data is a child unseen in life.”
She described pilot projects in Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, where volunteers now identify children early, link them to services, and feed the information back into district planning. “This is what inclusive enumeration looks like,” she said. “Counting becomes care.”From the Maldives, Fathimah Ibrahim, President of Disability Council and a two-time Paralympian, called for stronger, connected disability databases. “Our islands are scattered,” she said. “Without reliable data, people fall through the cracks. How do you design universities, jobs, or sports programs if you don’t know who needs them? A good census means a fair future.”Working with the government on 2027 census in India, UNFPA’s Population and Research Specialist, Dr. Sanjay Kumar, described the technical challenge. “We are in dialogue with the Registrar General to make the 2027 Census truly inclusive,” he said. “In the last census, the ‘multiple disability’ category hid many realities. Now, we’re designing digital tools and mobile apps for enumerators - so that every household can be reached, and every person properly represented.” Planning Inclusive Health Systems

The WHO team brought a health equity lens. Regional Advisor, WHO South-East Asia Regional Office, Dr. Tashi Tobgay reminded the audience that inclusive data and health systems go hand in hand. “We always say Universal Health Coverage, Leave No One Behind, and Nothing About Us Without Us,” she said. “But we must translate those into standards - accessible hospitals, inclusive diagnostics, and data that convinces policymakers that disability inclusion is a public health priority.”

Across countries, health systems remain structurally inaccessible: few clinics have ramps or tactile paving, and rural residents often travel hundreds of kilometres for tests that should be free. High out-of-pocket costs for assistive devices and medications keep families in debt, while private insurers often deny coverage for pre-existing disabilities, despite global conventions that prohibit such discrimination.

From Russia came a broader challenge. President of All-Russia Association of the Blind (VOS) Vladimir Sipkin, urged the United Nations to establish a global standard for disability measurement and healthcare. “Every country counts differently, categorizes differently, and treats differently,” he said. “We need one unified framework - a universal health system for persons with disabilities, where care follows the person, not the passport.” His call drew applause from across the hall.
And Member of Parliament from Armenia, Zaruhi Batoyan shared what happens after the counting begins. “We passed our disability rights law in 2021, built on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities,” she said. “But a law alone doesn’t change lives. We must make every other law - education, health, housing - sensitive to disability. That’s what true inclusion means.”
UN Resident Coordinator in India, Shombi Sharp summed up, “The Purple Fest fills us with joy and wonder - but also with purpose. Inclusion is not a challenge to solve; it is the most beautiful form of innovation we have. When we create accessible environments, persons with disabilities don’t just adapt - they excel. They show us what progress really means.”

That data is dignity, visibility is power, and inclusion begins with counting everyone - If the next global round of censuses - embraces that lesson, the invisible billion may finally become visible in policy, in healthcare, and in the everyday story of human progress.
Translated from UN News. Click here to read the story in Hindi.

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17 October 2025

Disability-led innovation takes center stage at Purple Fest

Shraddha Agarwal’s SignSetu is an educational revolution. Nicknamed 'Duolingo for the Deaf,' the app teaches English using Indian Sign Language (ISL) through short, gamified lessons supported by images, animations, and videos. The app, which bridges worlds to make literacy accessible and joyful for the Deaf community, was among the finalists at the Pitch Fest at the International Purple Fest 2025 in Goa, a celebration of ingenuity born from lived experiences of persons with disabilities.Eight applicants were picked from a pool of 36 entries from across the country to present their ventures before a diverse jury at the Pitch Fest, organized by Rising Flame in collaboration with the United Nations in India and Godrej Industries Group under the theme 'Lead Beyond Limits'.In a world that still treats accessibility as an afterthought, the Pitch Fest offered a different plot: design for dignity, fund lived-experience leadership, and watch the market catch up. Innovation, it turned out, wasn’t happening despite disability. It was happening because of it.“SignSetu empowers Deaf learners to read, write, and express themselves freely,” said Agarwal. “It’s about making learning visual, intuitive, and equal.”

Fellow innovator Raghu Duth Degala of Kaiteki Innovations demonstrated his company’s assistive restroom device, the Guko Bidet - a low-cost, universally designed add-on that can be installed on any toilet, enabling persons with disabilities and elderly users to clean themselves independently. “Accessibility should not depend on expensive renovations,” Degala said. “It should be affordable, elegant, and human.”
  For Sourabh Yadav, innovation came from empathy. His startup Picstry AI turns photos into audio memories for the blind, allowing users to hear descriptions enriched with names, voices, and context. “A picture should be more than pixels,” he said. “It should tell a story that everyone can experience.”The three winners - Raghu Duth Degala (Kaiteki Innovations), Sourabh Yadav (Picstry AI), and Shraddha Agarwal (SignSetu) - were awarded funding to scale their innovations.

Some of the other promising ideas at the fest included Advitiya Masale, founded by Satyaprakash Malviya, a social enterprise employs women and visually impaired workers in Kashi, ensuring that every packet carries both aroma and empowerment. Grailmaker Innovations introduced Spacefelt, a tool that uses simple QR codes to make public spaces accessible through audio, ISL videos, or text.myUDAAN’s VGo wheelchair attachment converts a manual chair into a powered mobility device, while AccessPath maps real accessibility data for restaurants, offices, and public spaces.And then came the cinematic curveball: Flop Films, introduced by producer Anand Vijay. Billed as India’s first Digital Video Agency - a union of ad agency strategy and production-house craft - it specializes in video campaigns, commercials, and entertainment. Its distinction is global: it is, probably the only creative agency in the world led by a legally blind producer. The pitch reframed risk as vision: who better to direct the industry toward inclusive storytelling than a leader who has navigated barriers most creatives never see.
  One of the judges, Pichmony Thay, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Lead at Impact Hub Phnom Penh (Cambodia), said he was inspired by the ideas on display at the pitch fest. “Every pitch amazed me,” he shared. “People with disabilities think beyond convention because their experiences push them to. Accessibility should not be a luxury - it should be a norm. What I saw today is what real innovation looks like.”For Nidhi Goyal, Founder and Executive Director of Rising Flame, the event was deeply personal and symbolic. “We called it Lead Beyond Limits because society too often sees persons with disabilities as people who need help, not as leaders,” she said. “But today, these entrepreneurs proved that they are not just participants in change - they are driving it.”The event also underscored a growing movement: that inclusion is not just about access - it’s about leadership. Studies show that excluding persons with disabilities from the economy can cost nations up to 7% of their GDP, but inclusion generates not just profit, but perspective. “When leadership comes from the margins,” Goyal said, “it brings empathy, innovation, and strength that benefit everyone.”


Translated from UN News. Click here to read the story in Hindi.

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03 October 2025

Tribal youth to gain skills via new fellowships

The United Nations in India and the Government of India’s Ministry of Tribal Affairs have launched two new initiatives aimed at giving tribal youth the tools, training, and mentorship to take active roles in their communities and in the workforce.The Adi Yuva Fellowship and the Adi Karmayogi Volunteers Programme are both designed to empower young people from tribal communities through structured learning, mentorship and career development. The Adi Yuva Fellowship offers a 12-month paid programme where selected tribal youth receive mentoring, professional development, and access to high-quality learning platforms. Fellows benefit from personalized learning plans, on-the-job exposure, and opportunities to engage with national and international networks. The first batch of 16 Fellows will be selected next month through a competitive process and placed with various UN agencies at national, state, and district levels.Fellows will also be linked to national skilling and employability schemes such as PMKVY 4.0, NAPS, and PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana, creating pathways for post-fellowship careers. The Adi Karmayogi Volunteers Programme, supported by UNFPA, prepares tribal youth to support local governance and improve the delivery of public services in remote tribal regions. During the launch event on 19 September, tribal youth from Odisha, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh shared their individual stories of transformation and empowerment. Speaking at the launch, UN Resident Coordinator Shombi Sharp described the two initiatives as reflective of the UN’s commitment to promoting inclusive development in India and help tribal youth thrive and lead.“Under the leadership of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, we are proud to support India’s strength in diversity and help accelerate the journey towards both the 2030 Agenda and Viksit Bharat 2047,” he said. Vibhu Nayar, Secretary of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, said “this partnership marks a transformative step to enable tribal youth to lead from the frontlines. It will accelerate inclusive progress and ensure that tribal communities remain at the heart of India’s growth story.”

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03 October 2025

Inclusion, sustainability, and creativity at Durga Puja

Durga Puja, inscribed by UNESCO in 2021 as an element of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, transforms India’s state of West Bengal into the world’s largest public art festival — an immersive blend of worship, art, and social messaging.Durga Puja isn’t just a festival — it’s a city-wide act of imagination, and one that reverberates with the Bengali diaspora and others around the world. For a few autumn nights, Kolkata and parts of West Bengal turn into an open-air gallery where neighbourhoods build dazzling temporary temples (pandals), artisans from Kumartoli sculpt the goddess from river clay, drummers (dhaakis) roll thunder through the streets, and millions wander from one illuminated dreamscape to the next. This grand spectacle is actually community in motion: local clubs raising funds, families volunteering, craftspeople collaborating, and entire local economies springing to life around food, lights, music, and art. Families map their ‘pandal-hopping’ routes, musicians set the rhythm, food stalls weave the city together, and the city itself becomes a stage. All kinds of divisions – class, caste, ethnicity — in this city of teeming millions, melt away.Durga is among the powerful female figures in the Hindu pantheon of gods, often depicted as riding a lion. The symbolism runs deep. Durga’s victory over evil is celebrated, yes – but so is community over isolation, creativity over routine, and collaboration over hierarchy.UNESCO recognition

In December 2021, UNESCO placed Kolkata’s Durga Puja on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, describing it as “the best instance of the public performance of religion and art, and a thriving ground for collaborative artists and designers.”As Tim Curtis, UNESCO Representative in India, explained, “It embodies the Sarbojonin spirit (for all people) that has defined community worship since 1926. From clay sculptors to drummers, designers to local organizers, the entire city contributes to one of the most vibrant cultural expressions in the world.”This is heritage not locked away in monuments but alive in practice, passed hand-to-hand through craftsmanship, reimagined every year with new themes, and binding communities across class, faith, and language. Durga Puja is also a creative economy powerhouse. A 2019 study estimated the festival’s industries generate USD 4.53 billion, or about 2.58% of West Bengal’s GDP. Art with a messageIn Kolkata, United Nations in India Resident Coordinator Shombi Sharp visited a number of pandals, including one with a focus on sustainable agriculture. “Normally you see Goddess Durga defeating evil, but here the ‘evil’ is pesticides and unsustainable farming practices. Behind me stands a display with 280 rice varieties from eastern and northeastern India. That’s 12-13 million visitors being exposed to powerful messages about organic agriculture, biodiversity, and sustainability,” he said. Another headline-grabber this year is an AI-themed pandal that fuses devotion with digital imagination. Goddess Durga appears in her traditional form while the backdrop bursts with circuit-board patterns, glowing data streams, and neon light. Robotic figures and LED structures flank the entrance; the inner walls display AI-generated images of Durga, mixing old religious art with new technology.The point is clear: faith and technology can co-exist; even in a futuristic frame, the core message — Goddess Durga’s triumph over evil remains intact.Visitor reactions mirror this blend of wonder and caution. Nupur Hajara, a 30-year-old lab technician from Kolkata said, “The more positively people receive AI, the better. If they take it negatively, that won’t help, right? It’s something different, and I liked it. It felt refreshing to see something new.”“Durga Puja is our biggest, most special festival — and now AI is part of the conversation. It can do a lot of good, but there are risks too, especially fraud. Deepfakes and viral images are real concerns. Without safeguards, someone could misuse photos and deceive people. So it’s crucial that we use these technologies responsibly,” said IT professional Sumitam Shom. Adding a different register of urgency, another pandal with the theme of ‘Shabdo’ (‘Sound’) drew attention for its poignant focus on the vanishing sounds of nature — chirping birds, rustling leaves, croaking frogs — captured through immersive, sensory design. It was a meditation on environmental loss and nostalgia, asking what it means for a city to grow quieter as habitats shrink.Raja, an organiser, put it simply, “We chose this theme because you barely see birds anymore. My grandfather used to tell me how common they were; now they’re rare - partly, we believe, due to mobile network impacts. This pandal is our way to wake up the community: to learn how to bring the birds back and to start working on it together.”Other pandals echo urgent social themes: One honours acid attack survivors, raising awareness and celebrating their dignity and contributions. Another highlights water conservation. The messages resonate with young visitors too. “Groundwater is depleting day by day. This is the best way to spread awareness to the public,” said Tisa, an 18-year-old student at a pandal dedicated to water conservation. Making Puja accessible to allThis Durga Puja in Kolkata also marks a leap towards inclusivity. In June 2025, UNESCO and the UN in India launched comprehensive accessibility guidelines for festival organizers following consultations with organizations of persons with disabilities.The resulting Standard Operating Procedures cover six areas ranging from physical infrastructure and communication to volunteer training and safety, ensuring that accessibility is not an afterthought but built into design.The results are visible on the ground. Ramps and barrier-free layouts ease mobility, Braille signage and sign-language interpreters expand communication, and quiet seating areas provide dignity to those who need rest. Mr. Sharp recalls: “We heard from a father who, for the first time in 17 years, was able to bring his daughter, a wheelchair user, to celebrate Durga Puja. That was an incredibly emotional moment.”Mr. Curtis linked this to a broader principle, “Cultural participation is not a privilege but a human right. India’s Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 and its commitments under the UN Convention guarantee equal access to cultural life. Durga Puja shows what that looks like in practice.” A living laboratory for the SDGsDurga Puja in Kolkata is more than worship. It is ritual, performance, public art, local economy, and civic imagination — all blending into one shared act. It is also a living laboratory for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), translating abstract ideas into tangible experience: sustainable agriculture, disability inclusion, gender equality, dignity in diversity.As Mr. Sharp puts it, “If you’re just talking about statistics, that’s one thing. But here, it’s living, breathing, alive — people interacting with the goddess, with the installations, with the messages. Everybody gains when inclusion, sustainability, and creativity comes together.Durga Puja is proof that heritage is not only about the past, it is also about shaping the future.
Compiled by UN News Hindi. Click here to read the Hindi version

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26 September 2025

Where snow leopards roam: India's cold desert earns global recognition

In a landscape where snow leopards prowl ancient valleys and Buddhist monks preserve millennia-old wisdom, one of India’s most extreme wildernesses has just earned global recognition.High in the trans-Himalayan wilderness of northern India, where oxygen grows thin and temperatures plummet to bone-chilling extremes, lies one of Earth's most extraordinary ecosystems. The Cold Desert — a stark, windswept expanse of glacial valleys and alpine plateaus — has just been designated as UNESCO's newest Biosphere Reserve, marking a pivotal moment for conservation in the Indian Himalayas.The Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve spans approximately 7,770 km² across the dramatic landscapes of Himachal Pradesh's Lahaul-Spiti district. Encompassing windswept plateaus, glacial valleys, alpine lakes, and rugged high-altitude deserts, it is one of the coldest and driest ecosystems in UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves.With altitudes ranging from 3,300 to 6,600 metres, the reserve covers the Pin Valley National Park and Kibber and Chandratal Wildlife Sanctuaries.
   Around 12,000 inhabitants live in scattered villages, practicing traditional pastoralism, yak and goat herding, barley and pea farming, and Tibetan herbal medicine. This knowledge is sustained through Buddhist monastic traditions and community councils that regulate the use of fragile alpine resources.
UNESCO biosphere reserves are "living laboratories for sustainable development" where conservation and human activity are managed together, rather than cordoning off nature as a separate entity. This philosophy is perfectly embodied in the Cold Desert, where time-tested governance systems demonstrate how communities can thrive while preserving their environment.This fragile cold desert ecosystem supports hardy alpine grasses, medicinal herbs, and rare stands of Willow-leaved sea-buckthorn, Himalayan birch, and Persian juniper. The reserve harbors 732 species of vascular plants, including 30 endemic species and 157 near-endemics of the Indian Himalayas.Among the region's iconic fauna are the snow leopard, Himalayan ibex, blue sheep, and the rare Himalayan wolf. The skies above host rich birdlife, including the Himalayan snowcock and golden eagle.
  As the world faces growing climate and biodiversity crises, UNESCO Biosphere Reserves offer a powerful, yet underreported solution. These globally recognized areas are more than just protected land — they are living laboratories where communities, scientists, and governments collaborate to find sustainable ways of living in harmony with nature.The Cold Desert's designation brings the total number of UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in India to 13, with more than 10 million people living within these areas. The biosphere reserves in India demonstrate how governments, scientists, and local Indigenous communities co-manage nature and development — from climate resilience and risk reduction to nature-based livelihoods, education and science.

  Globally, the World Network now comprises 785 biosphere reserves in 136 countries, spanning approximately 7.4 million km² and home to roughly 275 million people. Remarkably, 70% of UNESCO Member States now have at least one biosphere reserve, showcasing the global commitment to sustainable development.The designation announcement came at the end of the World Congress of Biosphere Reserves, convening in Hangzhou, China, from 22-26 September. Every 10 years, the World Network of Biosphere Reserves brings together more than 2,000 stakeholders including scientists, policymakers, community leaders, entrepreneurs, and conservationists to identify priorities, strengthen collaboration, and define a Global Action Plan with specific targets for the next decade — including the goal of having at least one biosphere reserve in every UNESCO Member State.

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Press Release

15 October 2025

United Nations Day

“We the peoples of the United Nations…”These are not just the opening words of the United Nations Charter -- they define who we are.The United Nations is more than an institution. It is a living promise -- spanning borders, bridging continents, inspiring generations.For 80 years, we have worked to forge peace, tackle poverty and hunger, advance human rights and build a more sustainable world -- together.As we look ahead, we confront challenges of staggering scale: escalating conflicts, climate chaos, runaway technologies and threats to the very fabric of our institution.This is no time for timidity or retreat. Now, more than ever, the world must recommit to solving problems no nation can solve alone.On this UN Day, let’s stand together and fulfil the extraordinary promise of your United Nations. Let’s show the world what is possible when “we the peoples” choose to act as one.[END]

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Press Release

20 September 2025

Secretary-General: The UN is alive -- in you

I am going to be brief this evening because I know the real stars of this evening’s show. This celebration of the 80th anniversary of the United Nations is special because of you. In this Hall, and joining us online, are people who have devoted their lives to service. To action. To hope. Women and men of the United Nations. Diplomats. Partners in civil society. Artists, advocates, and changemakers. You are the living proof that the world changes -- not just through declarations, but through dedication. Through courage. Through the quiet, persistent work of people who refuse to give up. This evening -- through film, music, and stories -- we will witness that truth. We will be reminded that it is often in the darkest hours -- when despair looms and division deepens -- that humanity comes together to make history. The theme of tonight’s gathering is living legacy. And the key word is living. The United Nations is not just a set of buildings. It is not just words on paper. It is alive -- in you. It lives in every peacekeeper who stands between conflict and calm. In every humanitarian worker who reaches the unreachable. In every diplomat who chooses dialogue over discord. In all of you who understand that global problems demand global solutions. We are all privileged to be part of one of the most ambitious and profound undertakings in human history: The decision -- despite our differences -- to solve problems together. To work sincerely, creatively, and humbly toward a better future for all. It is not easy. It is often difficult. Sometimes dangerous. But we choose to work. Because eight decades of wars prevented … children educated … diseases cured … and lives saved … tell us one thing: That anything -- and everything -- is possible when we stand united. So tonight, let us celebrate not only what has been achieved -- but what still lies ahead. Let us honour the legacy we have inherited -- and commit to the legacy we will leave behind. Let us keep the living legacy going -- and growing -- for one and all. Thank you.[END]

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Press Release

20 September 2025

High-level Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the United Nations

The anniversary meeting provides an opportunity to reflect on the Organization’s achievements and the evolving challenges it faces in a rapidly changing global landscape.

What: High-level plenary meeting to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations

Speakers and Segments:Musical Performance by the Met Chorus Artists and the Sing for Hope HandaHarmony Youth Chorus conducted by Tilman MichaelOpening Remarks by H.E. Ms. Annalena Baerbock, President of the 80th UN General AssemblyScreening of UN80 Commemoration video - Better TogetherRemarks by H.E. Mr. Antonio Guterres, Secretary-GeneralReflections by eminent speakers on the role of the United Nations H.E. Ms. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Former President of LiberiaH.E. Ms. Gro Harlem Brundtland, Former Prime Minister of NorwayMs. Maria Ressa, 2021 Nobel Peace Prize LaureatePoem Recitation by Ms. Maryam Bukar Hassan, UN Global Advocate for PeaceWhen: Monday, 22 September 2025, 9 AM-10 AM
Where: General Assembly Hall, United Nations Headquarters, New York

Streaming coverage (Live and on demand) is available in all 6 languages through UN WebTV

Information for the Media: Please contact malu@un.org for escort to cover the event in-person.

For more information, visit the Website

Media Contacts La Neice Collins, Spokesperson for the President of the General Assembly, Tel: +1 212 963 0564, M: +1 917 721 9306, Email: collins3@un.orgNick Birnback, Director of Communications for the President of the General Assembly, M +1 929 301 0761, Email: birnbackn@un.orgMariam Shaikh, Adviser/ Social and Digital Media/Media Relations, M: +1 917 361 4990, Email: mariam.shaikh@un.org

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Press Release

20 September 2025

A Commemoration of UN@80: A Living Legacy

Many of you may have seen the article in the New York Times a few days ago about the postcard sent from the UN in 1953. Alan Ball, from Idaho, sent the postcard to his family. It was lost to time, but resurfaced, 72 years later. I found it interesting that even back then this young man visited the UN on his stopover in New York. The UN was still new then, yet even then it mattered to people. We often forget, in the trenches of bureaucracy, politics and diplomacy, how much this institution matters to ordinary people. To the people like Mr. Ball – and the one million visitors who come through the doors each year. And to those in every country of the world whose lives are impacted by the work we, you, do. Ask the displaced how the work of UNHCR or IOM has mattered to them. Ask a person living with HIV/AIDS how the work of UNAIDS has mattered. Or ask the farmer in the Sahel how seeds, provided by FAO, has mattered. Every single day, you, the living legacy of this organization, affect the lives of people around the world. You defend those most vulnerable. You stand for human rights, even in the darkest days. You champion the plight of the unseen, the unheard, and the forgotten. On Monday we will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the United Nations. This is a moment to celebrate the people who make this institution. But it is also a moment of profound reflection on what this institution represents. What it represented to the people of 1945, who sought refuge from the scourge of war. What it represents to the people today, who call out for the UN to live up to its promise. It comes at a critical moment of change and evolution within the UN itself. As I will say in my remarks on Monday – change is necessary – but it must be built on the principles and spirit of the UN Charter. Principles that are upheld every day by the women and men of the UN, by you. Who have dedicated their lives to humanitarian relief, to peacekeeping, to the protection of human rights, and to sustainable development. Who have, far too often, given those lives in service… in Iraq, in Gaza… 168 women and men lost their lives in 2024 alone standing up for the principles of our Charter. These are the people – the heroes – who embody multilateralism in action. It is an honour to join you in celebrating this living legacy of the United Nations. You carry out the quiet, often thankless work, away from the limelight, yet indispensable to this Organization—to making it stronger, to make it better, together. You are the reason we can take pride in the United Nations today, the reason why a young visitor walking through these halls may look back, eighty years from now, with pride at having once stood here. Thank you. [END]

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Press Release

18 September 2025

UN India and UNESCO launch guidelines to make Durga Puja celebrations in West Bengal more accessible and inclusive

The United Nations in India and UNESCO have launched new guidelines to make the upcoming Durga Puja celebrations in West Bengal more accessible and inclusive. ‘Enhancing Universal Accessibility during Cultural Festival 2015 Edition Durga Puja in Kolkata’ are a set of standard operating procedures developed by UN in India and UNESCO after extensive consultations with festival organizers, accessibility experts and organizations of persons with disabilities and with with technical support of Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur. The guidelines draw on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and India’s Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (2016). They aim to position persons with disabilities not just as beneficiaries but as active partners in shaping accessibility measures. Accessibility challenges go beyond disability alone — they also affect older persons, pregnant women, and others who face barriers at different stages of life. According to India’s 2011 census, 2.2% of the population are persons with disabilities, while 8.6% are older persons. In 2021, UNESCO added Durga Puja in Kolkata to its Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The inscription described the festival as “the best instance of the public performance of religion and art, and a thriving ground for collaborative artists and designers." Durga Puja – which kicks off on 28 September -- breaks the divides of class, religion and ethnicities as people visit Puja pandals (structures) to admire the installations. With more accessible venues, the pandals should not only allow persons with disability to be part of the festivities but also be active participants. The guidelines, grounded in the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage and aligned the United Nations Convention on Rights of people with Disabilities, offer Durga Puja committees clear, practical steps to ensure everyone can fully participate in the celebrations, including: Ensuring physical infrastructure such as pandals, ramps, and sanitary facilities are accessibleProviding accessible communication and information, including sign language, Braille, and audio formatsMaking programming inclusive to engage persons with disabilities as active participantsDeveloping emergency preparedness and safety protocols to protect festival-goersTraining volunteers to build awareness, respect, and support skillsChanging attitudes to foster inclusion and dignity in every interaction “As we advance toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it is important that the call to “leave no one behind” also resonates throughout our cultural life. When persons with disabilities join fully in festivals like Durga Puja, the celebration becomes richer and more meaningful for the entire community. I am proud that UN agencies have joined hands with Organisations of Persons with Disabilities to offer these helpful guidelines. Together we can help harness India’s truly incredible cultural heritage as a powerful force for inclusion - not just here, but globally.”Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator in India “Durga Puja embodies the living heritage of Bengal. To safeguard it for the future, we must also ensure it is accessible for all. This initiative brings the principles of UNESCO’s Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage and the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities into action, showing how cultural life can be both vibrant and inclusive.”Tim Curtis, Director and Representative, UNESCO Regional Office for South Asia “When Durga Puja was inscribed on the UNESCO List, it indicated that we have a continued and shared responsibility towards the respect that has been given to us. The important key would be inclusion, community participation, expression of art and culture in different forms and also to be able to transcend divides between society and economy.” -Sri Santanu Basu IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Information and Cultural Affairs, Government of West Bengal UN in India and UNESCO hope that, following this year’s Durga Puja, the new guidelines will be used for other cultural and religious festivals taking place across the country. The initiative makes the case for accessibility as both a human right and a driver of community vitality and economic growth. When festivals are accessible, they enrich participation, spark stronger community bonds, and contribute to social and cultural resilience. The guidelines emphasise accessibility is good design for all – ramps that aid wheelchair users also help parents with strollers and the elderly; wayfinding signage supports both persons with disabilities and visitors unfamiliar with the area; seating benefits anyone in need of rest.

As Durga Puja gets set to return to the streets of West Bengal this year, the launch of these guidelines calls upon puja committees, authorities, volunteers, and communities to weave accessibility into their plans and actions. This effort resonates with the global call of the SDGs to “leave no one behind.” For more information, contact:Chironjit Ganguly: c.ganguly@unesco.orgSindhuja Khajuria: s.khajuria@unesco.org

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