Version française

Versión española

The Gaza War: Expected Socio-Economic Impacts on the State of Palestine

A new Rapid Assessment of the Social and Economic Impacts of the War in Gaza shows that if the war continues for a second month, the poverty rate in the State of Palestine will soar by 34%, thrusting nearly half a million additional people into poverty, as Gross Domestic Product plummets by 8.4% -- a loss of $1.7 billion -- according to initial estimates by UNDP and the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA). Available in English and Arabic, the report employs economic modelling to assess the consequences of the war in the occupied Palestinian territory at the one-month mark and for two- and three-month scenarios. A regional impact assessment, which will include an update of the data in this report, is currently underway.

Covered in outlets including Le Monde and Al Jazeera, the assessment warns of a sharp decline in the Human Development Index, setting development in the State of Palestine back by between 11 to 16 years, and in Gaza by 16 to 19 years, depending on the intensity of the conflict. “The unprecedented loss of life, human suffering, and destruction in the Gaza Strip is unacceptable” said UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner. “On top of the humanitarian catastrophe we see unfolding, there is also a development crisis. UNDP joins the UN Secretary-General’s calls for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire; the release of all hostages; and humanitarian access to allow life-saving aid to reach civilians at the scale needed.”

UNDP condemned the shelling of the United Nations compound in Gaza City, which UNDP’s Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People (PAPP) managed until 13 October when UN staff vacated the premises -- it reportedly resulted in deaths and injuries amongst those who sought safety in our compound. “Civilians, civilian infrastructure & the inviolability of UN facilities must be always protected,” said Administrator Steiner.

In a message to all staff on 20 October, the Administrator conveyed the organization’s solidarity with PAPP colleagues and assured that UNDP is doing all within its means to support the needs of our PAPP colleagues as well as other UNDP offices impacted in the region. Across the world, UN offices flew the UN flag at half-mast on 13 November to honor the 100+ UN staff killed in Gaza -- the highest number killed in a conflict in the history of our organization. On X, follow the UN Secretary-General’s account and Administrator Steiner’s account, and visit this dedicated intranet hub.

THE BIG PICTURE

Navigating the Storm

In 2023, temperature records continued to be shattered while an onslaught of storms, floods, droughts, and heatwaves resulted in widespread devastation. Against this backdrop of a climate emergency, the UN Climate Change Conference, COP 28, takes place in the United Arab Emirates from 30 November until 12 December 2023. The world will take stock of progress on the Paris Agreement and must chart a course to dramatically reduce emissions and protect lives and livelihoods.

This is vital as a new UNFCCC report highlights that "global ambition stagnated over the past year and national climate plans are strikingly misaligned with the science". As some governments double down on fossil fuels, the UN Secretary-General underlined the need for “credible commitments to ramp up renewables, phase out fossil fuels and boost energy efficiency while ensuring a just, equitable transition”. The question of how developed countries can offer funding to vulnerable states to cover loss and damage – the costs already being incurred from climate-fuelled weather extremes or impacts – is also pivotal. It has to be new and additional, not repackaged existing finance, and must not add to existing debt.

Leveraging our vast development and climate portfolio across nearly 150 countries, UNDP is working with partners to support countries on decisive climate action. That includes our Climate Promise, which is supporting 120+ countries to enhance and implement their Nationally Determined Contributions. Visit UNDP’s COP28 portal and this Trello board for useful assets. Use the #FutureIsPossible hashtag to showcase impactful local climate action.

The Human Climate Horizons platform is launching new data this month -- developed by UNDP and the Climate Impact Lab, it empowers the public and decision-makers by offering global & hyperlocal information on the projected impacts of climate change on people and communities. 17 of the 20 countries that are least prepared for climate change are Least Developed Countries -- UNDP’s Cassie Flynn shares new insights. UNEP’s Adaptation Gap Report 2023 outlines urgent needs in three key areas: finance, planning, and implementation. UNDP’s new Energy Governance Framework aims to fast track a just energy transition and UNDP guidance explores short-term actions in the land sector that drive climate action.

SPOTLIGHT

Photo: UN Women/Carlos Rivera. #OrangeTheWorld

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on 25 November will mark the start of 16 days of activism against gender-based violence. Use these assets to spark a conversation.

This new report card details how UNDP has met or exceeded 94% of indicators in 2022 in the UN System-Wide Action Plan on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment 2.0.

As part of the UN family, UNDP is responding to the devastating earthquakes in Nepal and Afghanistan. To expand its recovery efforts in Herat, UNDP has issued an urgent appeal for $25 million.

A new project supported by the Green Climate Fund and UNDP will advance flood risk management in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This green roof on a school in Serbia is boosting flood protection and benefiting wildlife.

UNDP and partners are working to beat malaria in Haiti and supporting life-saving medical services in Sudan. Gulnora Azimova from Tajikistan fought to ensure that her sons could overcome TB and stigma. In The Gambia, Sarata Ceesay no longer has to wade through water where crocodiles gather to travel to ante-natal check-ups thanks to a bridge built with UNCDF support.

Celebrating governments' successes can lead to a better world. The Future of Government Awards champions those who are transforming people’s lives by applying digital solutions in the public sector – share your nominations by 14 December 2023. 

Urban settings are taking centre stage as catalysts for prosperity. Learn about UNDP’s involvement in the 50-in-5 campaign and our work with Italy to advance digital ecosystems in Africa. Share your thoughts on UNDP’s digital transformation by 24 November 2023.

A case study on UNDP's Future Trends and Signals System, as ‘an enabler of anticipation across the organization’ is featured in a new book, Future Cultures: How to build a future-ready organization through leadership. And the UNDP Accelerator Labs are digging up insect-based solutions for the SDGs.

Marcos Neto has been appointed as the new Director of UNDP’s Bureau for Policy and Programme Support. He succeeds Haoliang Xu to whom Administrator Steiner expressed his heartfelt appreciation.

Explore this Annual Report on the Joint UNDP-DPPA Programme on Building National Capacities for Conflict Prevention. A new UNDP-IOM report argues that private sector partnerships are key to harness migration's potential.

Ahead of World AIDS Day, a new publication explores the global trend towards decriminalization of same-sex sex in the context of the HIV pandemic. And a UNDP publication offers tools to promote the inclusion of LGBTI+ persons throughout the electoral cycle and political processes.

A range of experts examine the cost-of-living crisis in this Hello Futures video. And a new report by the UN Secretary-General outlines new developments & opportunities in South-South and triangular cooperation.

As Brazil prepares to assume the G20 Presidency in 2024, Administrator Steiner was in the country and met a range of high-level officials. And a UNDP-OECD report assesses the G20’s contribution to the SDGs.

Update: People for 2030

From a range of new learning opportunities to opening up new doors of career progress, UNDP’s People for 2030 Strategy continues to generate a range of benefits for our personnel -- read more in this Progress Report, which details the strides made since phase two of the strategy launched.

As UNDP pursues re-certification of the EDGE (Equity, Diversity, and Gender Equality) Move Seal, take this survey, which aims to gather insights from personnel on how our efforts to advance gender equality in the organization are progressing -- the deadline is 15 December 2023.

All colleagues are welcome to join the next Global Orientation Week from 4-8 December 2023. With webinars on ethics, knowledge, well-being and our digital ecosystem, the orientation week is designed to help newcomers, those changing roles and anyone in the organization who needs a refresher. Register for the Orientation Week here.



Update: Greening Moonshot

The UNDP Country Office in Uzbekistan has made significant steps forward to adopt green energy solutions including a new solar energy system that is expected to provide over 70% of the office's annual energy requirements. Is your office thinking of updating your air conditioning or cooling assets? Re-watch this webinar and make use of this helpful guidance note.



UNDP’s Disability Inclusion Network

Ahead of the 2023 International Day of Persons with Disabilities, register here to join the Annual Meeting of UNDP’s Disability Inclusion Network on 28 November 2023 at 8am EST -- a forum where colleagues can share progress, knowledge and thoughts on our disability inclusion work. 



Update: Ombudsman for UN Funds and Programmes

A new podcast from the Office of the Ombudsman for UN Funds and Programmes discusses a range of topics of relevance to UNDP personnel, from challenging conversations to conflict in the workplace.



For submissions, comments or questions on The Monthly, please get in contact with the team at: [email protected] and find back issues here.