UN SDG Action Campaign

The 2025 edition of the Heroes of Tomorrow: UN #SDGAwards will recognize the extraordinary campaigns, initiatives and changemakers who reaffirm our belief that every choice matters—and that every person, in every context, have the power to create lasting change. Resilience Award honors initiatives that demonstrate outstanding resilience in overcoming crises, adversity, or systemic—environmental, political, economic, or social—challenges turning adversity into opportunity to build stronger, more inclusive communities. Creativity Award recognizes campaigns and initiatives that harness the power of creativity—through art, music, film, theatre, digital media, or any form of expression—to shift public perceptions, influence policies, and drive action for more sustainable, equitable, and peaceful societies. Changemaker Award honors individuals who envisions a new reality and create lasting impact—whether leading movements or working quietly behind the scenes for equality, justice and human rights, illuminating the path even in the most challenging places and times. ✍️ Apply for the #SDGAwards by 🗓️ 7 May 2025: https://lnkd.in/ei8kxTck

Illicit finance is no longer just a shadowy crime — it’s a development crisis. At a UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) & UN SDG Action Campaign special session at United Nations Office at Geneva, experts highlighted how illicit financial flows now pass through legitimate trade channels — via misinvoicing, profit shifting, and aggressive tax avoidance. These practices: 🔻 Crowd out real economic activity 🔻 Drain public revenues 🔻 Undermine progress on the #GlobalGoals As emphasized in UNCTAD’s Trade and Development Report, the financialization of food and fossil fuel markets is fueling opacity — enabled by weak regulation and oligopolies. We need stronger international standards, greater financial transparency, and coordinated policy action to address the systemic loopholes that allow illicit activities to persist. Learn more ▶️ https://ow.ly/qz1O50VKNIF Photos ▶️ https://ow.ly/ekjy50VKNIC

🚨 COMING 6 MAY UNDP’s #HDR2025 explores how AI shapes our lives across different life stages and transforms social, economic, and political systems—highlighting ways to harness its potential for enhancing #HumanDevelopment. Learn more: go.undp.org/towardsHDR2025

Today, at UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)’s “Hidden Assets: from Illicit Finance to Development Gains” event, we gathered to address a critical issue that affects us all: illicit financial flows. Finance must serve development, not deepen inequality. We envision a world where international finance is governed by equity, transparency, and purpose — where illicit flows are curbed, and where resources flow toward people, planet, and progress — not away from them.   We are often told that there simply aren't enough funds to invest in sustainable development, especially in today’s increasingly fragile global context, where multilateralism is under strain. But the truth is, the world is not lacking in money.     With an estimated $460 trillion in global assets, we live in a time of unprecedented wealth. Yet financial flows continue to bypass those who need them most. Hundreds of millions of people are struggling to survive in a world that has never been richer.    Illicit financial flows deprive countries of vital public resources, severely undermining their ability to invest in sustainable development. These flows often result in the loss of desperately needed funds for essential public services — including education, healthcare, gender equality, and poverty eradication.     Together, we can align global finance with global justice — and unlock a future where no one is left behind.    Join me and follow the discussion: https://lnkd.in/dXiRE4XQ 

Today, we gather to confront a challenge that continues to drain resources from the people and communities who need them most: illicit financial flows (IFFs). Our Global Director, Marina Ponti, reminds us, “Finance must serve development, not deepen inequality. Resources must flow toward people, planet, and progress — not away from them.” Every dollar lost to illicit flows is a dollar stolen from essential public services — from schools to hospitals, from gender equality initiatives to poverty eradication efforts. In a world with $460 trillion in assets, it is unacceptable that hundreds of millions still struggle for basic needs. Tackling illicit financial flows is not just about economic reform — it is a moral and social imperative. It is about justice, transparency, and building a global financial system that works for everyone. Together, we must curb hidden financial movements that weaken economies, undermine the rule of law, and fuel inequality. Let us align global finance with sustainable development goals and unlock progress for people, planet, and prosperity. Join the conversation and learn more: https://lnkd.in/dJkinm8B ___ Rebeca Grynspan Anastasia Nesvetailova UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

Today, I am delighted to speak at the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)’s special event, “Hidden Assets: from Illicit Finance to Development Gains,” alongside the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan, Director of the Division on International Trade and Commodities Luz Ma De La Mora, and moderated by the Head of the Macroeconomic and Development Policies Branch Anastasia Nesvetailova.    Illicit financial flows drain resources from development, fueling inequality, corruption, and instability. Tackling them is essential if we are serious about creating a future where no one is left behind. Finance must serve people, planet, and progress — not pull us further apart.   Join us and follow the conversation: https://lnkd.in/dXiRE4XQ

Join our Global Director Marina Ponti, UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan, and Division on International Trade and Commodities Director Luz Ma De La Mora, for a special event, Hidden Assets: from Illicit Finance to Development Gains, during the 15th session of the Trade and Development Commission, moderated by the Head of the Macroeconomic and Development Policies Branch Anastasia Nesvetailova now. Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) drain resources from development, fueling money laundering, corruption, and economic instability. These — often hidden — financial movements imperil domestic resource mobilisation, undermine the rule of law, and are difficult to track and measure. Follow online: https://lnkd.in/dJkinm8B

Heroes don’t always wear capes—some campaign for just policies, stopping deforestation, or empowering vulnerable groups! Tag a hero who envisions a new reality & creates lasting impact. #SDGAwards ✍️ (Self-)Nominate by 🗓️ 7 May: https://lnkd.in/ei8kxTck

The 2025 UN #SDGAwards will recognize the extraordinary campaigns, initiatives & changemakers who reaffirm our belief that every choice matters—and that every person, in every context, have the power to create lasting change. Apply by 7 May: https://lnkd.in/ei8kxTck

Monday was World Creativity and Innovation Day. Meet 2023 UN #SDGAwards Changemaker Finalists Emmanuel Mushy and Nazir Atul—founders of Visual Aided Stories (VAS) Hub, a youth-led creative enterprise using art and storytelling to drive social change and engage young people. For Emmanuel and Nazir, creativity isn’t a side note to development—it’s a catalyst. Through initiatives like Murals for Social Change and the ZINGATIA Street Art Campaign, VAS Hub has empowered over 145 youth artists across Dar es Salaam—turning blank walls into bold calls for justice, health, and empowerment. Read the blog: https://lnkd.in/djsTmR65