UN DESA holds up the development pillar of the UN Secretariat. Its Divisions and Offices work together towards a common goal to promote the social, economic and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. UN DESA collaborates closely with its partners at regional and country levels in helping countries to formulate and implement national sustainable development strategies.

UN DESA’s work promotes and supports international cooperation for sustainable development. It addresses a range of cross-cutting issues that affect peoples’ lives and livelihoods, especially the most vulnerable. We are fundamentally concerned, not only with global prosperity today, but also tomorrow, having as a foundation the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) supported by the Addis Ababa Action Agenda.

In providing a broad range of top quality analytical products, policy advice and technical assistance, UN DESA effectively translates global commitments in the economic, social and environmental spheres into national policies and actions and plays a key role in monitoring progress towards the SDGs.

UN DESA’s mission, to promote development for all, underscores the need for all stakeholders – governments, UN and other international organizations, civil society and the private sector – to do their part to improve economic and social well-being and leave no one behind.

Whether by supporting policy-making bodies, facilitating major UN conferences, projecting trends in demography, publishing top quality economic and social analysis, or helping countries develop national capacity, UN DESA’s influence has reached far beyond the doors of the UN.

Our vision for human progress goes beyond promoting global agreements and is fundamentally about action. We are committed to addressing the world’s most pressing concerns and taking the necessary steps to help create a better world for all – a world that is inclusive, prosperous and sustainable.

UN DESA’s work programme can be categorized into three areas:

• Norm-setting
• Data and Analysis
• Capacity-building

DESA Divisions:

• OFFICE OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL SUPPORT AND COORDINATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
• DIVISION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
  
• POPULATION DIVISION
  
• DIVISION FOR PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS AND DIGITAL GOVERNMENT
  
• FINANCING FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OFFICE
  
• DIVISION FOR INCLUSIVE SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
  
• STATISTICS DIVISION
  
• ECONOMIC ANALYSIS AND POLICY DIVISION
  
• UNITED NATIONS FORUM ON FORESTS
  
• CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT OFFICE