United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA)
Mission
DESA promotes and supports international cooperation to achieve development for all, and assists governments in agenda-setting and decision-making on development issues.
DESA provides analytical products and policy advice that serve as valuable sources of reference and decision-making tools for developed and developing countries, particularly in translating global commitments into national policies and action and in monitoring progress towards the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals.
Achievement 1:
Addressing water-related disaster risks through global policy dialogue and multilateral processes
In 2025, DESA supported global policy dialogue on water-related disaster risks through substantive contributions to multilateral processes, including the preparatory process for the 2026 UN Water Conference. This process provided a platform to elevate risks related to floods, droughts, water scarcity, glacier melt and sea-level rise within global policy discussions, highlighting their implications for disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and sustainable development. Through engagement with Member States, UN entities and stakeholders, DESA promoted a shared understanding of water as a critical entry point for prevention-oriented and risk-informed approaches to resilience-building in coordination with UN-Water and relevant UN entities.
Achievement 2:
Promoting integrated disaster risk reduction across water, climate and sustainable development agendas
DESA contributed to strengthening policy coherence across the Sendai Framework, the 2030 Agenda and climate action by promoting integrated approaches to disaster risk reduction in water-related governance. Through policy-oriented discussions and briefings, DESA emphasized the need to shift from reactive disaster response towards preventive and resilience-focused strategies. Particular attention was given to addressing systemic and cascading risks associated with water-related hazards, and to reinforcing the role of integrated governance in reducing vulnerability and safeguarding development gains.
Achievement 3:
Supporting Member States through policy-oriented capacity development and knowledge sharing
Throughout 2025, DESA supported Member States by facilitating policy dialogue and knowledge exchange on the interlinkages between water, disaster risk reduction and resilience. By leveraging global and regional platforms, DESA helped disseminate lessons learned, emerging challenges and good practices related to water-related risks and resilience-building. These efforts contributed to strengthening awareness of disaster risk reduction as a cross-sectoral priority and reinforced the importance of integrating risk considerations into long-term development planning.
Achievement 4:
Enhancing learning and inclusion through technology: UN DESA–UNDRR eLearning Course
The UN DESA–UNDRR eLearning course on Risk-informed Governance and Innovative Technology for Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience, delivered in 2025, reached over 300 participants. The course strengthened government capacities to leverage ICTs and emerging technologies for disaster risk reduction and resilience. It focused on adapting and scaling public service innovations to national contexts, emphasizing practical application. Through structured modules, case studies, and knowledge checks, participants explored how to access, adopt, and sustain innovative technologies. The course contributed to enhancing risk-informed policymaking and promoting more inclusive, data-driven approaches to resilience in the public sector.
Achievement 5:
Online Workshop on Effective Public Governance and Finance for DRR, Local Resilience and Climate Action (17–19 June 2025)
5th Joint Certificate Programme, organized by UN DESA/DPIDG/UNPOG with UNITAR CIFAL Jeju/JITC and UNDRR ONEA & GETI, engaged over 1,390 participants from 148 countries. The workshop strengthened capacities on risk-informed governance, integrated financing, and climate-resilient planning. Participants explored practical tools, including the ten essentials for resilient cities, disaster-related data management, and institutional coordination for climate action and SDG implementation. The workshop introduced the Disaster Resilience Scorecard – Climate Addendum and piloted DESA Climate Readiness Assessment Tool. It served as a global platform for knowledge exchange and capacity development across all levels of government.
Impact: The workshop led to an official request from the Presidential Secretariat of Sri Lanka to support recovery efforts following Cyclone Ditwah. UN DESA and UNDRR are mobilizing technical support, capacity-building, and knowledge exchange, with a dedicated workshop planned for July 2026.
Voluntary Commitments
The Sendai Framework Voluntary Commitments (SFVC) online platform allows stakeholders to inform the public about their work on DRR. The SFVC online platform is a useful toolto know who is doing what and where for the implementation of the Sendai Framework, which could foster potential collaboration among stakeholders. All stakeholders (private sector, civil society organizations, academia, media, local governments, etc.) working on DRR can submit their commitments and report on their progress and deliverables.
