International development

International agricultural trade plays a central role in balancing global food supply and demand. Yet, with every shipment of crops crossing borders, the water used to produce them is virtually transferred as well, reshaping the distribution of water resources worldwide. This new report by the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) reveals that virtual water transfers through food trades generally reduce water scarcity for much of the global population, while at the same time deepening shortages for millions of others, particularly those in low-income communities.

The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2025: Addressing high food price inflation for food security and nutrition
Full Digital Report in English: https://www.fao.org/3/cd6008en/online/cd6008en.html
PDF Report in English: https://doi.org/10.4060/cd6008en
In Brief in English, French and Spanish: https://doi.org/10.4060/cd6015en

An Economic Diversification Push for Landlocked Developing Countries: Achieving the Awaza Programme of Action (UNDP)
https://www.undp.org/publications/economic-diversification-push-landlocked-developing-countries-achieving-awaza-programme-action

Nearly 138 million children were engaged in child labour in 2024, including around 54 million in hazardous work likely to jeopardize their health, safety, or development, according to new estimates released on 11 June 2025 by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UNICEF. The latest data show a total reduction of over 20 million children since 2020, reversing an alarming spike between 2016 and 2020. Despite this positive trend, the world has missed its target of eliminating child labour by 2025. The report, released one day ahead of the World Day Against Child Labour and on International Day of Play, underscores a stark reality that while gains have been made, millions of children are still being denied their right to learn, play, and simply be children.

Nearly 138 million children were engaged in child labour in 2024, including around 54 million in hazardous work likely to jeopardize their health, safety, or development, according to new estimates released on 11 June 2025 by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UNICEF. The latest data show a total reduction of over 20 million children since 2020, reversing an alarming spike between 2016 and 2020. Despite this positive trend, the world has missed its target of eliminating child labour by 2025. The report, released one day ahead of the World Day Against Child Labour and on International Day of Play, underscores a stark reality that while gains have been made, millions of children are still being denied their right to learn, play, and simply be children.

This analytical report explores how SDG 16 is being taken up and integrated into national priorities. It addresses key questions: Are SDG 16 targets reflected in national plans? What challenges are countries facing in advancing SDG 16? How are data and statistics being used to track progress? The report highlights growing demand and opportunity to strengthen the focus on SDG 16 within the VNR process, not only as an enabler of the 2030 Agenda, but also as a vehicle to promote its core principles of accountability, inclusion, and justice. Unlocking the full potential of SDG 16 and mobilizing the necessary political and financial support requires a clearer understanding of how it contributes to progress across all SDGs. This latest installment in UNDP’s series examining SDG 16 in VNRs reviews the 39 VNRs presented by Member States at the 2024 High-Level Political Forum.

Indigenous Knowledge, Local Knowledge, and Climate Change: Interconnections for Policy and Practice (World Bank)
https://hdl.handle.net/10986/43486

IMF