The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) has projected that India’s economy is expected to grow by 7.4 per cent in the current financial year. According to the report, this growth will be driven mainly by strong domestic consumption and increased public investment.
About United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA)
The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs is a key department of the United Nations that upholds the development pillar of the UN. It is rooted in the United Nations Charter and guided by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
UN DESA is headquartered at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, United States.
Mandate and Focus Areas of UN DESA
UN DESA works to promote the social, economic, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. Its divisions and offices collaborate to address cross-cutting development challenges that directly affect people’s lives and livelihoods.
The department’s work spans a wide range of issues, including poverty reduction, governance, public finance, and environmental sustainability, with a particular focus on the needs of vulnerable and marginalized populations.
Core Areas of UN DESA’s Work Programme
The work programme of UN DESA is broadly categorized into three major areas:
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Norm-setting, which involves developing global standards and frameworks.
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Analysis, which includes research, data collection, and policy assessment.
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Capacity-building, aimed at strengthening institutional and human capabilities in member states.
Key Functions of UN DESA
UN DESA facilitates negotiations among Member States in various intergovernmental bodies to address emerging and ongoing global challenges. It provides substantive support to development-related discussions in the United Nations General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
The department advises governments on translating international policy frameworks adopted at UN conferences and summits into national-level programmes and policies. It also collaborates closely with regional and country-level partners to help nations formulate and implement sustainable development strategies.
In addition, UN DESA compiles, generates, and analyses a wide range of economic, social, and environmental data, which is extensively used by UN Member States for policy formulation.
Important Reports Published by UN DESA
UN DESA publishes several key global reports, including:
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World Economic Situation and Prospects Report
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World Social Report
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Sustainable Development Goals Report