United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs - Divisions

Divisions

Development Policy Analysis: The Development Policy and Analysis Division is the think-tank for development economics within DESA and the main development research unit within the United Nations. The core functions of the Division include monitoring the global economic and social situation, promoting macroeconomic policy co-ordination and analyzing development trends to improve the implementation of the UN Development Agenda. It has recently been contributing an array of analyses and policy recommendations to the international debate on the global financial and economic crisis.

Sustainable Development: The Division for Sustainable Development facilitates negotiations, consensus-building and decision-making at an intergovernmental level, serving as the substantive secretariat to the UN Commission on Sustainable Development. It also services UN Energy and UN Water (including through the office in Zaragoza on the UN-Water Decade Programme on Advocacy and Communication). The Division works to implement Agenda 21, the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation, the Barbados Programme of Action and the Mauritius Strategy of Implementation for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States. It conducts research and undertakes substantive analysis to inform policy making for sustainable development. In addition, the Division provides capacity-building in developing countries and countries with economies in transition, directly and through its United Nations Centre for Regional Development. It encourages stakeholder engagement in its work, including by major groups and partnerships, such as the recently established Sustainable Development Knowledge Partnership.

Public Administration and Development Management: The Division for Public Administration and Development Management helps countries build and strengthen their public institutions. It assists governments to advance public sector reform and improve the quality of public service delivery. By offering capacity-building activities, promoting knowledge-sharing and providing training and online tools, the Division champions efficient, effective and citizen-oriented public services based on the principles of transparency, accountability and civic participation. It stresses innovative approaches to public management, particularly through e-government development.

Statistics: The Statistics Division of DESA is a global centre for data on all subject matters, bringing to the world statistical information compiled by the entire UN system. It manages and facilitates the development of the global statistical system and serves as the secretariat of the United Nations Statistical Commission. The Division strives to develop statistical standards and norms for global statistical activities and supports the efforts of countries to strengthen their national statistical systems. It has an extensive publication programme on technical manuals and statistical information.

Financing for Development: The Financing for Development Office provides support for sustained follow-up to the agreements and commitments contained in the Monterrey Consensus and Doha Declaration. It promotes an inclusive inter-governmental process, with the participation of all relevant stakeholders, to address key areas of domestic resource mobilisation, private investment flows, international trade, official development assistance, external debt and global financial and economic system and architecture.

ECOSOC Support and Co-ordination: The Office for ECOSOC Support and Co-ordination provides substantive support and promotes consensus in the United Nations Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly. A main responsibility of the Office is to support ECOSOC's Annual Ministerial Review and Development Co-operation Forum to ensure a comprehensive, qualitative review of progress in implementing the MDGs. Global preparatory meetings, regional consultations and national reviews are essential elements to this process to ensure a substantive ministerial-level review and a quality, action-oriented dialogue on development cooperation issues. Preparing for the GA 2010 High-Level Plenary Meeting on the MDGs and its follow-up will be a major task in the years ahead. The Office actively engages UN agencies and civil society in charting common courses of action. The Office also advises on strengthening the interaction between ECOSOC and the Peacebuilding Commission in order to contribute to a co-ordinated, coherent and integrated approach to post-conflict peace-building.

Population: The Population Division in DESA is a world leader in demographic research. It prepares estimates and projections on matters such as total population, fertility, mortality, migration and urbanisation, which serve as reference for the UN system, many Governments, academics, the media and corporate users throughout the world. The Division is the substantive secretariat of the Commission on Population and Development and therefore monitors the implementation of the Programme of Action of the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development and its follow-up commitments. It produces selected indicators related to the reproductive health targets of the Millennium Development Goals and assists the deliberations of the General Assembly in the area of international migration and development.

Social Policy and Development: The Division for Social Policy and Development assists governments and civil society organizations formulate social policies that foster more secure, just, free and harmonious societies. The Division works with development partners to promote the realization of a 'society for all', where all members, including older persons, youth, persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and other often-marginalised groups all have equal say and equal participation. It provides the primary support and servicing to the Commission for Social Development, the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the Conference of State Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Forests: The United Nations Forum on Forests Secretariat is the DESA focal point on all forest policy issues. It provides substantive support to the biennial sessions of the Forum, prepares technical reports and analytical studies, and fosters dialogue to enhance co-operation and co-ordination on forest issues. It provides a comprehensive and integrated view of forests which encompasses economic, social and environmental aspects. In 2009, the Secretariat was mandated to launch a Facilitative Process to assist countries in mobilizing financing for sustainable forest management.