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Food waste collection and processing in the hospitality sector benefit both the environment and the companies

UNDP engagement at the 79th session of the UN General Assembly

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Farm from Čurug First in Serbia to Produce Green Cattle Feed Without Soil

UNDP engagement at the 79th session of the UN General Assembly

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Dialogue on Climate Change 2024

UNDP engagement at the 79th session of the UN General Assembly

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Improving Natural Values in Protected Areas

UNDP engagement at the 79th session of the UN General Assembly

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UN Summit of the Future

UNDP engagement at the 79th session of the UN General Assembly

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Citizens can contribute towards more than half of the data to track progress on global biodiversity goals

UNDP engagement at the 79th session of the UN General Assembly

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Celebrating 15 years of impact: 11 innovative nature-based solutions honoured with the Equator Prize

UNDP engagement at the 79th session of the UN General Assembly

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1.1 billion people live in multidimensional poverty, nearly half a billion of these live in conflict settings

UNDP engagement at the 79th session of the UN General Assembly

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looking ahead to the summit of the future in september 2024， the question of what kind of world we leave to our descendantsconcerns us al the sianals spotlight identfies some of the areas where our legacy to future generations is in doubt-and asks what that means for developme

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Food waste collection and processing in the hospitality sector benefit both the environment and the companies

Belgrade, July 2nd 2024 - With the financial support of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) presented how the collection of food waste in the hospitality sector and its processing into biogas or compost contributes to improving air quality and the environment and thus supports climate action. Over the past three months, three large catering establishments in Belgrade, which belong to the Delta Holding Company, have collected their food waste and handed it over to the company Eso Tron for further processing. From April to July, almost 24 tonnes of food waste was collected and converted into biogas, preventing the emission of 16.5 tonnes of CO2, which is equivalent to the amount absorbed by 790 trees in a year. Sandra Dokić, State Secretary at the Ministry of Environmental Protection, announced that this initiative will be extended to include kitchens of kindergartens, student cafeterias and the restaurant in the parliament building in September. She said this will be an example for other public institutions where large quantities of food are prepared. "We will try to involve as many catering establishments as possible in our voluntary food waste collection scheme, because at the moment there are no legal obligations. In parallel, we will produce a food management guide for the HoReCa sector, which will be presented and distributed to catering establishments. In addition to this, in the upcoming period we will focus on food waste prevention through various initiatives," said Dokić. She added that one of the next steps for the Ministry is to make proper food waste management a legal obligation.. "In partnership with the Ministry of Environmental Protection, we support public and private companies in Serbia to collect their food waste and apply other principles of circular economy. I invite all interested innovators who have solutions for sustainable waste management to apply for the public call under the ‘EU for Green Agenda in Serbia’ initiative," said Fabrizio Andreuzzi, acting Resident Representative of UNDP in Serbia. He added that, in the last two years, UNDP helped the implementation of 65 circular economy innovations in Serbia, thanks to the support of the European Union, the Government of Switzerland and the Global Environment Facility totaling 2.8 million USD. Tijana Koprivica, Chief Business Sustainability Officer at Delta Holding, said that the initiative to collect food from the company's catering establishments provides an excellent opportunity for cooperation between the government, non-governmental organisations and the business sector in the field of environmental protection. "We are glad that we have contributed to the development of circular economy in Serbia. After seeing the reduced greenhouse gas emissions, we are inspired to implement even more activities. By collecting food waste and converting it into green energy, we have provided our colleagues with an opportunity and incentive to focus on sustainable business, and inspired other companies to do the same so that together we can have a more positive impact on the environment," said Koprivica. "This is just the first step in our journey, and we will not stop until we have achieved a significant positive impact on the environment. Our company Eso Tron is actively working on introducing the system of separate collection of organic waste. For starters, it is the hospitality sector on the entire territory of Serbia, and in the coming phases we will introduce separate waste bins and containers in the residential communities," said Jelena Plećaš, head of general affairs and human resources sector at Eso Tron.  The event also highlighted the direct benefits of responsible environmental practices for companies, such as better reputation among consumers, improved competitiveness on the market and the possibility of obtaining favourable financial loans.  In addition, representatives of French companies and non-governmental organisations reported on their experiences in preventing food waste, processing it and using it as a raw material on the market, which can serve as a model for local companies. Two other relevant initiatives in Serbia were also presented: the solution of the Faculty of Hotel Management and Tourism in Vrnjačka Banja for converting food waste into compost used for park maintenance, and a software for analysing food remains in catering establishments. The event was organised within the project "Reducing the carbon footprint of local communities by applying the principles of the circular economy in the Republic of Serbia - Circular Communities" implemented by UNDP in partnership with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and with the financial support from GEF.

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Farm from Čurug First in Serbia to Produce Green Cattle Feed Without Soil

Čurug, 12 July 2024 – With the support by the Government of Switzerland, and on the occasion of 20 years of its successful operation, the “Global Seed” company opened the first production line for hydroponic production of fresh, green cattle feed in Serbia. This way of producing feed involves water solution, without using soil, in a specially designed and wholly automated facility. Thus the resources such as soil and water, are saved, while the use of fertilisers and pesticides, as well as fuel, is substantially decreased. This contributes to saving natural resources and environment, while simultaneously increasing competitiveness of the company on the market.  Upon touring the facility, Head of the Cooperation Office in the Swiss Embassy in Serbia Richard Kohli said that expanding green surfaces is one of the key modes of combating global warming.  “With this project, you save green areas and soil that would otherwise be used for the production of cattle feed, which could in turn be transformed into meadows and contribute to improving biodiversity. It is important for the private sector to also become involved in combating climate changes, since public sector cannot fulfil sustainable development goals independently. We thus invite you to also motivate other companies to engage themselves in the same way,” said Kohli. He reminded that Switzerland has been financing projects in Serbia in the fields such as green energy, energy efficiency and decarbonisation, with EUR 30 million grant funding.  Green cattle feed produced through hydroponic cultivation is more nutritious than the conventional feed, since it includes more enzymes, proteins, fibres and vitamins than dry barley grain and can be used for feeding all ruminators, being especially beneficial for cows and sheep. This feed is ready for harvesting 365 days a year, regardless of exterior climate conditions and temperature, thus securing stable feed supply for farmers.  “When we initiated the “EU for Green Agenda in Serbia” project in 2022, our aim was to change the frame of mind in both public and private sectors and to demonstrate that greening of the economy was good for business. Two years later, we have proven this with a couple of pilot initiatives which show that circular economy is beneficial for companies, while it also decreases pollution and facilitates decarbonisation of industrial processes. I am highly satisfied with the innovative solutions by the Global Seed that I have seen today. Clear water, clean soil and clean air, as well as better competitiveness: these are all advantages of “EU for Green Agenda in Serbia”, said Antoine Avignon, Programme Manager for Environmental Protection and Climate Changes from the EU Delegation in Serbia. “Such a solution can easily be applied in other cattle farms in Serbia, and is especially beneficial for those not having extensive surface area of land at their disposal. I invite all the private companies, agricultural farms, farmers associations and cooperatives that need support in introducing and improving the practices of sustainable agriculture to apply to our Challenge for Green Agenda Innovation within the initiative ‘EU for Green Agenda in Serbia’“, said Miroslav Tadić, lead of the Team for Environment and Climate Changes of the United Nations Development Programme  (UNDP). The new production facility of the Global Seed company will be heated through the excess of heating energy from a renewable source, i.e. from the biogas power plant of the company itself, working on cattle manure. This means that the entire process of feed production and cattle nutrition is rounded, i.e. circular. Except from environmental, animal and human health benefits, this type of feed production is beneficial for the company’s business.   “In the surface area of 150 square meters, by means of solar energy, biogas power plant and the innovative technology of hydroponics, we produce 2 tons of green feed a day on average, which would otherwise require 100ha of land. Yet this is not merely about surface area, we would also need fertilisers and fuel. A project like this is ideal for small farms, especially in Southern Serbia, where not enough land is available for cattle feed production,” said Director of the Global Seed company Saša Vitošević. Production of green hydroponic mass from sprouted grains for ruminators’ nutrition is one of the 53 innovative solutions that received support within the “EU for Green Agenda in Serbia” project. The project has been implemented by the United Nations Development Programme with the technical and financial support by the European Union, in partnership with the Ministry of Environmental Protection, and in cooperation with the Embassy of Sweden and the European Investment Bank (EIB), where additional funding has been provided by the governments of Sweden, Switzerland and Serbia.

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Dialogue on Climate Change 2024

Belgrade, November 4, 2024 – Today, the Ministry of Environmental Protection hosted a "Dialogue on Climate Change", to discuss with key stakeholders on strategies for Serbia to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and leverage the green transition for economic and social development. This event, organised in partnership with the United Nations (UN) Team in Serbia and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), precedes this year's global UN Climate Conference – COP29, in Azerbaijan. The dialogue included representatives from relevant Serbian ministries, international development partners, domestic and international financial institutions, the business sector, and UN agencies in Serbia. At the opening of the event, Sandra Dokić, State Secretary of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, stated that Serbia is extremely vulnerable to climate change and that the Climate Change Adaptation Program defines 25 priority measures necessary to reduce future losses and improve society's readiness for climate risks, especially in the agriculture sector, where damages have been particularly high in recent years. “Through the Low-Carbon Development Strategy, the Climate Change Adaptation Program (CCAP), the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan, as well as future policies—primarily the Environmental Protection Strategy—we are laying the foundations for a sustainable, competitive, resource-efficient economy which is resilient to climate change. We are committed to accelerating the energy transition and and promoting innovation, because it is only through collaboration and sustainable models that we can achieve climate-neutral development”, emphasized Dokić. She also mentioned that the Ministry of Environmental Protection, inspired by the EU model, has established a system for issuing GHG emission permits to operators of energy and industrial facilities, which is now digitized and fully operational. The Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, Plamena Halacheva, said that the EU continues to support the implementation of the Green Agenda, to help Serbia tackle climate change and decarboniSe ITS economy.  "We are working to improve the legal and policy framework, to invest in people’s skills and innovative SMEs for a just transition, and to reduce emissions across energy, transport, and agriculture by transitioning to renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, and promoting sustainable farming", Halacheva emphasised, adding that thanks to the Green Deal, the EU will deliver on its 2030 target to reduce its net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. The dialogue highlighted how advancing public policies can enhance Serbia’s adaptation to climate change and increase the use of renewable energy resources, which have significant potential in the country, such as geothermal energy and biomethane. “Our aim is that by 2030, nearly half of all megawatt-hours will be generated from renewable sources. By then, a total of about 3.5 GW of new capacities from renewable energy sources (RES) will be added to the grid, from both public and private investments. With significant increases in energy efficiency in households and public buildings, there is an expectation of a 40.3% decrease in harmful gas emissions by the end of the decade, compared to levels in 1990”, said Jovana Joksimović, Assistant Minister of Mining and Energy for International Cooperation and European Integration. She stated that, thanks to the completed desulfurization plants at TPP Kostolac B and TPP Nikola Tesla A, and after the construction of the same plant for TPP Nikola Tesla B, more than 90 percent of Serbia's thermal power capacity will be completely environmentally acceptable and up to European standards, which also means better air quality.   A key focus of the dialogue was ensuring stable financing sources for the green transition, which is crucial for the economy to continue growing, while preserving the environment and improving the quality of life for all citizens. This dialogue was held ahead of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which will take place November 11-22 in Baku. This year's conference aims to strengthen global efforts to limit climate change and adapt to its impacts, as well as secure the necessary funding to achieve these goals. “Our world is at a critical crossroads, facing the urgent challenge of global climate change that demands immediate and robust action from all countries and actors. Serbia, with its commitment and efforts, is well-positioned to amplify its climate actions. It is imperative for Serbia to accelerate its efforts across all sectors through coordinated and integrated strategies to ensure a sustainable and inclusive future”, stated Matilde Mordt, UN Resident Coordinator in Serbia. As part of the dialogue, UN Women organized a discussion titled "Women at the Center of Climate Policies and Actions: Enhancing Resilience to Climate Change through Gender Equality". This discussion stressed that integrating a gender perspective into climate policies and financing is essential for achieving fairer, more inclusive, and sustainable solutions in tackling climate change. In addition, an exhibition was organized to showcase innovative products created through recycling and the reuse of waste, in line with the principles of the circular economy, including items such as face masks, biosoaps, and construction materials. The Climate Change Dialogue was supported by projects implemented by UNDP in partnership with the Government of the Republic of Serbia, thanks to funding from the European Union, and the governments of Switzerland, Sweden, and Serbia, as well as the Global Environment Facility (GEF).  

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Improving Natural Values in Protected Areas

Belgrade, November 1, 2024 – As part of the project "EU for the Green Agenda in Serbia," the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) announces the Second Challenge Call For Proposals for civil society organizations, to submit small-scale project proposals aimed at improving natural values and increasing climate change resilience, in protected areas within the Republic of Serbia. This call targets civil society organizations focused on environmental protection and climate change, which are registered in the Republic of Serbia. The objective of this call is to support civil society initiatives aimed at boosting biodiversity and strengthening ecosystem resilience in protected areas, to be implemented in cooperation with managers of protected areas and other relevant institutions and organizations. The best proposals will receive financial support for their implementation. The application deadline is Monday, December 2, 2024, by 5:00 PM. Applications must be submitted exclusively online, by filling out the online form in Serbian available HERE. In addition to the completed online form, supplementary documentation must be sent to the email address: zelena.agenda.rs@undp.org. For further inquiries, you can contact us via this email. More details can be found in the Application Guidelines (available in Serbian).  Through the first Challenge Call for Proposals for civil society organizations to improve natural values in protected areas from 2023, 13 projects were co-funded, which improved the conditions for the survival of numerous endangered wildlife species and plants in protected areas across Serbia. These projects were realised thanks to financial support from the European Union and Switzerland, amounting to a total of $190,000. More information about these projects can be found HERE.  This Challenge Call for Proposals is published as part of the project "EU for the Green Agenda in Serbia," which is implemented by UNDP, with technical and financial support from the European Union (EU) and in partnership with the Ministry of Environmental Protection, in cooperation with Sweden and the European Investment Bank (EIB), with additional financial support provided by the governments of Sweden, Switzerland, and Serbia.

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UN Summit of the Future

As prepared for delivery Distinguished Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, We live in a world divided and scarred by conflict, with fault lines such as growing poverty and inequalities, climate change, and the destruction of our natural world. Yet, amidst these tremors, the young people I’ve met here in New York have truly stood out to me: their faith in a better tomorrow -- and their determination to build it. So, what is the United Nations Development Programme’s unique ‘offer’ to put the five areas of the Pact for the Future into action? - First, on sustainable development and financing, our efforts include supporting 86 countries in implementing Integrated National Financing Frameworks to channel billions of dollars to key areas like gender equality and nature -- and just one stream of engagement to shape a new SDG financing ecosystem. - Second, over two billion people currently live in countries affected by conflict and instability. Our global development support continues to provide a proven pathway out of it by enabling millions of people to access essential services such as water, clean energy, and livelihoods. - Third, UNDP is working to ensure that young people have a meaningful say in the future in key areas like climate pledges through our Climate Promise. This initiative is now the vehicle through which the UN system is mobilizing support to 125 countries to advance NDCs that can limit global warming to 1.5 degrees. - Fourth, in this ‘age of opportunities’, digital technologies spread quickly but not evenly. UNDP’s expertise will help advance the Global Digital Compact to realize a brighter digital future for everyone, everywhere by accompanying dozens of countries on their digital transformation journeys. That includes investing in safe and inclusive Digital Public Infrastructure to expand access to life-changing services like digital finance or healthcare.  We will also support countries to create a future of equitable, responsible AI that drives inclusive growth and innovation.  - Finally, we are assisting countries to build responsive, inclusive, and digital governance systems that foster stability -- and develop new measurements that go beyond GDP, grounded in human development, to give a clearer view of true progress. Mr. Secretary-General,  Distinguished Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, At its core, the Pact for the Future is about renewing a spirit of global inclusivity -- urgently addressing the pressing needs of those most impacted by climate change, poverty, inequality, and digital divides. It is about the promise of multilateralism to deliver tangible solutions and a future where no one is left behind. Indeed, the Declaration on Future Generations is a call to ensure that we do not simply transfer today’s challenges to our children, but instead pass forward the 'torch of choice' -- a value deeply rooted in the UN Charter. As part of the UN family, UNDP takes immense pride in being a trusted and longstanding partner to so many of you gathered today – and to turn the Pact and today’s possibilities into tomorrow’s realities. 

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Citizens can contribute towards more than half of the data to track progress on global biodiversity goals

A new study highlights how the involvement of citizens is key to the success of global efforts to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. To ensure this, the research identifies ways to increase citizens’ participation in monitoring biodiversity. The study, published in Nature Sustainability, quantifies how citizens can help to monitor progress towards achieving the goals and targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. It defines “citizen involvement” as referring to the participation of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, and other citizen groups. It finds that involving these groups could: To find out where citizen engagement would be most beneficial, researchers assessed 365 indicators that summarise environmental and socio-economic information across the scope of the Global Biodiversity Framework. These indicators include estimating the overall status of nature and evaluating the success of programmes to manage biodiversity. The world’s governments have agreed to use them to assess progress towards the Framework’s 23 targets and four goals. The greatest opportunities for citizens to contribute and interpret data are on targets to reduce threats to biodiversity and to meet peoples’ needs through sustainable use and benefit-sharing from biodiversity. The analysis was carried out by experts from the UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), Nordic Foundation for Development and Ecology (NORDECO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Indigenous research centres. A two-and-a-half-year study tracked community monitoring and conservation action in protected areas of the Philippines. It found focus group discussions by members of community monitoring groups, Indigenous People or local villages were particularly effective in mobilising action. Local bylaws established by Indigenous People, villages and municipalities to govern resource use were the focus of 22 per cent of the 156 interventions. The study authors observed that the local bylaws tended to be more effective in changing people’s behaviour than national Philippine laws. In one example, a community monitoring group reported a decline in fish in a bay. In response, the municipality directed that fishing with hook and line should be allowed, but the use of nets and compressors banned. This was widely respected and after only seven months the abundance of fish in the bay reportedly increased. This could contribute data and interpretation to the indicator ‘Proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels’ under the Global Biodiversity Framework. In 1988, hunters in Finland developed a programme in cooperation with the Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute to record information on 30 wild animals. Twice a year 7,000 volunteers, mainly hunters, document which species they see over precisely defined areas, counting tracks in the snow in winter and animal sightings in summer. The programme is an example of how collaborations between hunters and scientists can contribute a wide range of information on the distribution, abundance and structure of wildlife populations. This could contribute data and interpretation to the headline indicators ‘Benefits from the sustainable use of wild species’ and ‘Services provided by ecosystems’. A lack of information about threatened baboon spiders in southern Africa inspired researchers to set up the Baboon Spider Atlas in 2022. This encourages citizen scientists to upload photos of baboon spiders in the wild to an online database with data about where and when the spiders were seen. This combination of citizen science and conventional research has allowed researchers to assemble the largest database of information on baboon spiders in southern Africa. Such programmes could contribute data to the indicator ‘Red List Index’. The researchers assessed how Indigenous Peoples, local communities and citizen scientists can participate in monitoring each of the 365 indicators that were adopted in December 2022, when the Global Biodiversity Framework was finalised. Two researchers for every indicator sorted them into four groups based on how much citizen input is possible and how autonomous they can be. The categories ranged from the entire monitoring process being undertaken by citizens to all monitoring being carried out by scientists and government organisations. Independent experts with experience of on-the-ground participatory monitoring spot-checked how indicators had been categorised. Across both developed and developing countries, headline indicators that could benefit from citizen engagement include the monitoring of fish stocks, coastal eutrophication, forest management, Red Lists for species and ecosystems, invasive species, benefits from ecosystems, proportion of human population in traditional occupations, and extent of natural ecosystems. In most cases, citizen-derived data would need to be used in combination with professional scientists’ and governmental statistical organisations’ measurements. "Traditional knowledge indicators and data collected through community-based monitoring and information systems can help governments gain a fuller picture of biodiversity trends. This analysis highlights opportunities to address data gaps to enhance understanding and reporting on goals and targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework." - Katherine Despot-Belmonte, Senior Specialist in Nature, Gender and Rights at UNEP-WCMC and an author of the study "Government agencies often have difficulties finding meaningful ways of engaging citizens in biodiversity conservation. There is a need for a ‘road map’ for stepping up citizens’ contributions to halt and reverse global biodiversity loss. This analysis of how government agencies and citizen scientists can collaborate to achieve the targets and goals of the Global Biodiversity Framework is an important first step." - DSc. Finn Danielsen, Co-founder and Ecologist at the Nordic Foundation for Development and Ecology (NORDECO) and lead author of the study "Monitoring progress towards the Global Biodiversity Framework represents a critical step towards addressing the interconnected nature and climate crises of our time. Engagement across diverse stakeholders provides our best chance to obtain accurate, context-specific information, including for the over 30 per cent of headline indicators in the Framework that require the use of spatial data in their calculation." - Anne Virnig, Strategic Advisor on Science and Policy at UNDP, co-author of the study The paper also finds that the main constraints to citizen involvement are when indicators: To overcome current obstacles the researchers identify how countries’ environmental agencies can enable citizen engagement in monitoring the Framework. These include collaborating with Indigenous Peoples and local communities in Indigenous-led and community-led monitoring of local biodiversity; appointing staff responsible for citizen involvement through community-based monitoring and citizen science; promoting cooperative approaches and partnerships; creating real-time communications for community-based monitoring and citizen science (such as web portals); and co-designing guidelines and methods. The paper’s insights will feed directly into the work of more4nature, which funded the research. More4nature is an EU-financed project that aims to strengthen conservation through citizen science in Europe, Latin America, Asia and Africa. "With more4nature, we are taking the potential of citizen science in conservation to a practical level: making citizens and communities part of the solution when ensuring that environmental protection policies are implemented and adhered to. By supporting more than160 citizen science initiatives and more than 95 authorities in Europe and abroad, we explore how to enhance the uptake of citizen-generated data and community-led actions in environmental compliance assurance." - Dr Uta Wehn, Associate Professor of Water Innovation Studies at IHE Delft, who leads the more4nature project   Main image: Petrus Asuy sows seeds for forest crops in a nursery in East Kalimantan province of Indonesia, part of a community reforestation project. The knowledge of such citizen groups is an important source of information for monitoring progress towards achieving the goals and targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. (Image courtesy of Michael Eko / Climate Visuals Countdown) 

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Celebrating 15 years of impact: 11 innovative nature-based solutions honoured with the Equator Prize

New York— The upcoming Equator Prize Award Ceremony will celebrate 11 exceptional nature-based solutions spearheaded by Indigenous Peoples and local communities from around the globe. This prestigious event, part of UNDP's flagship Nature for Life Hub aims to inspire global action by placing nature at the forefront of sustainable development. This year’s celebration will send a resounding message about the power of Indigenous and local leadership in addressing the climate crisis. Each awardee will receive a cash prize of $15,000 in recognition of their groundbreaking initiatives that effectively tackle pressing challenges related to biodiversity, climate change, and sustainable development. The winners hail from diverse regions, including Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Iran, Kenya, Morocco, Senegal, and Zambia, exemplifying the global commitment to nature-driven solutions. "The 15th Equator Prize winners embody the hope and resilience that are essential for both people and the planet," stated Marcos Neto, UN Assistant Secretary General and Director of UNDP’s Bureau for Policy and Programme Support.   "Their innovative solutions highlight the vital role that Indigenous Peoples and local communities play in climate action. By protecting and restoring ecosystems—forests, mangroves, and marine habitats—they not only sequester carbon but also create pathways for climate adaptation and resilience. We must embrace the wisdom of Indigenous philosophies, which view all beings as interconnected and deserving of respect. This mindset is crucial for shaping a sustainable future where we thrive alongside nature, fostering a just transition for all." Under the theme of ‘Nature for Climate Action,’ the Award Ceremony will feature winners in the categories of Nature for Climate Mitigation, Nature for a Just Transition, and Nature for Climate Adaptation and Resilience. Each winning community will deliver a statement to the audience, emphasizing the central role of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in restoring the world’s ecosystems, transitioning to a green economy, and enhancing resilience to the impacts of climate change. We are honored to welcome distinguished guests to the event, H.E. Ms. Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, UN High-level Climate Champion for COP28 and IUCN President; and Francisco Vera Manzanares, a young human rights defender and climate activist from Colombia. Also joining us are Ida Elisabeth Hellmark from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) and Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, a Mbororo Indigenous environmental activist and Chair of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, who will serve as our master of ceremonies. Representatives from all 11 winning initiatives will also be present to celebrate this occasion. Since its inception in 2002, the Equator Prize has celebrated 296 innovative nature-based solutions from more than 89 countries. Each initiative plays a vital role in protecting the environment, enhancing livelihoods, and addressing the climate crisis while promoting local sustainable development. This year's Equator Prize is made possible thanks to the generous continued support of the Governments of Norway and Germany, as well as the Sall Family Foundation and other Equator Initiative partners. We invite you to watch the Equator Prize Award Ceremony on 3 October at 9:00 am EST on the Nature for Life Hub page or through the Equator Initiative’s YouTube and Facebook channels. You can also pre-register for the Nature for Life Hub here. About the Equator Initiative The Equator Initiative, a UNDP-led, multi-sectoral partnership that brings together governments, civil society, academia, businesses and grassroots organizations to recognize and advance local, nature-based sustainable development solutions for people, nature, and resilient communities. Its mission is to identify and advance outstanding local efforts to reduce poverty through the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. The Equator Initiative partnership offers a unique platform to celebrate success, inform global policymaking, and support local leadership in advancing innovative projects in sustainable development and climate issues.  

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1.1 billion people live in multidimensional poverty, nearly half a billion of these live in conflict settings

New York - A staggering 455 million of the world’s poor live in countries exposed to violent conflict, hindering and even reversing hard-won progress to reduce poverty, according to the latest update of the global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) released today.  Jointly published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) based at the University of Oxford, this year’s report features original statistical research on multidimensional poverty for 112 countries and 6.3 billion people, as well as fine-grained analysis of the relationship between conflict and poverty. It includes new survey data for 20 countries. The 2024 edition of the MPI report found that 1.1 billion people live in acute poverty worldwide, with 40 percent living in countries experiencing war, fragility and/or low peacefulness according to at least one of the three widely used datasets of conflict settings.  Due to lack of data, the global MPI is measured over a ten-year period (2012-2023) to create a comparable index of global levels and trends. In this new report the poverty data per country were matched to the country’s conflict/fragility status at the time to generate new insights on the overlap between conflict and poverty. The challenges of gathering data in conflict-affected countries likely lead to an underestimation of multidimensional poverty in these countries, with available data still underscoring the catastrophic effect of conflict on poverty reduction.  “Conflicts have intensified and multiplied in recent years, reaching new highs in casualties, displacing record millions of people, and causing widespread disruption to lives and livelihoods,” said Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator. “Our new research shows that of the 1.1 billion people living in multidimensional poverty, almost half a billion live in countries exposed to violent conflict. We must accelerate action to support them. We need resources and access for specialized development and early recovery interventions to help break the cycle of poverty and crisis.” Countries at war have higher deprivations across all ten indicators of multidimensional poverty, underscoring the devastating impact of conflict on the world’s most vulnerable populations. For instance, in conflict-affected countries, over one in four poor people lacks access to electricity, compared to just over one in twenty in more stable regions. Similar disparities are evident in areas such as child education (17.7 percent vs. 4.4 percent), nutrition (20.8 percent vs. 7.2 percent), and child mortality (8 percent vs. 1.1 percent). The analysis finds that deprivations are markedly more severe in nutrition, access to electricity, and access to water and sanitation for the poor in conflict settings relative to the poor in more peaceful settings.  Poverty reduction tends to be the slowest in countries most affected by conflict – where poverty is often the highest. The report includes an in-depth case study on Afghanistan, where 5.3 million more people fell into multidimensional poverty during the turbulent period 2015/16–2022/23. Data are available now to examine Afghanistan’s post-conflict situation and the results are alarming. In 2022/23, nearly two-thirds of Afghans were poor (64.9 percent).  Sabina Alkire, Director of the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative, says, “This study provides the first measured global analysis at this scale examining how in conflict settings multidimensionally poor people are affected. And it is sobering. Using the global MPI we find that out of the 6.3 billion people living in 112 countries, 1.1 billion are poor. And 455 million poor people live in countries experiencing conflict, fragility and/or low peacefulness. So poverty is not their only struggle. Moreover, the level of poverty in conflict-affected areas is far higher. In countries at war, over one in three people are poor (34.8 percent) whereas in non-conflict-affected countries it’s one in nine (10.9 percent) according to the Uppsala Conflict Data Program.  And sadly, poverty reduction is slower in conflict settings – so the poor in conflict settings are being left behind. These numbers compel a response: we cannot end poverty without investing in peace.”  In addition to the in-depth analyses of poverty in conflict settings, the latest MPI report offers nuanced insights on the lived experience of poor people and trends in poverty reduction around the world:  Since its inception in 2010, the global MPI has been instrumental as an analytical tool to identify the most vulnerable people – the poorest among the poor, revealing poverty patterns within countries and over time, enabling policy makers to target resources and design policies more effectively. To learn more about the 2024 Multidimensional Poverty Index, including data on children living in poverty, rural–urban patterns, disaggregations by 1,359 subnational regions, or the composition of poverty across continents, countries and subnational regions, visit: hdr.undp.org and ophi.org.uk    

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