United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA)

The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) works closely with governments and stakeholders to help countries around the world meet their economic, social and environmental goals. DESA’s work programme can be categorized into three areas: norm-setting, analysis, and capacity-building.

The Division for Sustainable Development (DSD) provides leadership in promoting and coordinating implementation of the sustainable development agenda of the United Nations. The work of the Division translates into five core functions:  support to the UN intergovernmental processes on sustainable development; analysis and policy development; capacity development at the country level; inter-agency coordination; and knowledge management, communication and outreach.