The spike in killings in 2022 marks a dramatic reversal of the positive trend seen in recent years: from 99 killings in 2018, the number had dropped to an average of 58 killings per year from 2019-2021, according to the UNESCO Observatory of Killed Journalists. Around half of the journalists killed were off duty at the time they were targeted. These numbers are a reminder of the growing fissures in rule of law systems worldwide and highlight states’ failure to fulfil their obligations to protect journalists and prevent and prosecute crimes against them.

The current global economic slowdown is likely to force more workers to accept lower quality, poorly paid jobs which lack job security and social protection, accentuating inequalities. The World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2023 (WESO trends), projects that employment growth will be only 1 per cent in 2023, less than half the level in 2022, and unemployment is slated to rise slightly. The ILO report pays particular attention to the impact of the different crises on productivity, job quality and job opportunities and how these trends risk undermining social justice around the world.

Only eight years remain to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. CEOs are calling for more concrete commitments to sustainability in businesses, according to the 12th UN Global Compact-Accenture CEO Study.  This year’s study, “Reimagining the agenda,” provides perspectives from a record 2,600+ CEOs across 128 countries and 18 industries. The report explores the challenges and uncertainties that business leaders face today and the opportunity surrounding sustainability as the path forward. The report will be presented at the World Economic Forum (Davos, Switzerland, 16-20 January).

WHO reports on children’s chances of survival in 2021 - an estimated 5 million children died before their fifth birthday and another 2.1 million children and youth aged 5–24 years lost their lives.

WMO reports that the ozone layer is on track to recover within four decades, with the global phaseout of ozone-depleting chemicals already benefitting efforts to mitigate climate change. A UN-backed panel to the Montreal Protocol on Ozone Depleting Substances quadrennial assessment report, published every four years, confirms the phase out of nearly 99% of banned ozone-depleting substances has succeeded in safeguarding the ozone layer, leading to notable recovery of the ozone layer in the upper stratosphere and decreased human exposure to harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun.

Population ageing is an inevitable result of the demographic transition towards longer lives and smaller families. In 2022, the world marked the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing. To commemorate this landmark, the World Social Report 2023 explores the economic and social implications of ageing of the population. The report is intended to provide world leaders with information and policy guidance as they chart a path forward and renew commitments to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Fish provides more than 4.5 billion people around the world with a critical share of their daily protein requirements. FAO’s Fish: Know it, cook it, eat it helps you know, cook and eat fish.

The current food crisis, triggered by COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine, is different, a new UNCTAD report says, because of a stronger US dollar - creating a ‘double burden’ for developing countries.

Reduced working hours and more flexible working time arrangements, such as those used during the COVID-19 crisis, can benefit economies, enterprises and workers, and lay the ground for a better and more healthy work-life balance, according to a new ILO report. The report, Working Time and Work-Life Balance Around the World, looks at the two main aspects of working time; working hours and working time arrangements (also called work schedules) and the effects of both on business performance and workers' work-life balance.

The cost of internet services has inched downward across the globe in 2022, according to the annual report on the state of digital connectivity from ITU. The Internet has become more affordable in all regions of the world and among all income groups. Cost, however, remains a major obstacle to internet access, especially in low-income economies. The high inflation and current global economic situation – with high inflation, rising interest rates, and deep uncertainty – could add to the challenge of extending Internet reach in lower-income areas.

A new report by the WHO shows that due to health inequities, many persons with disabilities face the risk of dying much earlier—even up to 20 years earlier—than persons without disabilities.

Celebrating female entrepreneurship, a recent UNCTAD publication tells the stories of 21 women from developing countries who’ve defied a myriad of challenges to build successful businesses.

A new ILO report shows that the inflationary crisis combined with a global slowdown are reducing the purchasing power of the middle class and hitting low-income households particularly hard.

The 2023 Global Humanitarian Overview details how next year will set another record for humanitarian relief requirements, with 339 million people in need of assistance in 69 countries.

A new UNCTAD report calls for increased investment in maritime supply chains. Ports, shipping fleets and hinterland connections need better prepare for future global crises and climate change.