UN DESA supports key intergovernmental processes and mechanisms relating to social development, including the 2nd and 3rd Committees of the General Assembly, the Commission for Social Development (CSocD), the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, and the Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing . It also serves as a thought leader on critical social development topics through its cutting-edge research, analysis and policy guidance, including the World Social Report, the World Youth Report, and the State of the World’s Indigenous Peoples.

As the custodian of these processes, UN DESA has unique global mandates on groups of people that have traditionally been left behind (indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, older persons and youth), as well as issues (families, cooperatives and sports for peace and development) and themes (eradicating poverty, promoting employment and decent jobs, fostering inclusion and participation, and reducing inequalities). Guided by key international agreements- such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Political Declaration and the Madrid Plan of Action on Ageing, the United Nations Principles for Older Persons and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development – UN DESA supports Member States translate the international norms on these groups into policy and practice at regional, national and sub-national levels.

Resources on Ageing  

• Methodology and tools for collecting data to support the formulation of evidence-based policies in response to the challenge of population aging in sub-Saharan Africa. Project materials are available. 

• UN DESA’s Briefing series on aging.

• UN DESA’s Guidelines for Review and Appraisal of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing to assist national Governments in carrying out a bottom-up review and appraisal of the implementation of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, 2002. 

• The Guide to the National Implementation of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing is primarily intended for use by national focal points responsible for developing and implementing national policies on aging. The Guide is available in English, Spanish and Russian. 

Resources on Disability  

• UN DESA’s Division has developed the Toolkit on Disability for Africa for Social Policy and Development (DSPD). Designed for the African context, it aims to provide practical tools on disability-related issues to government officials, members of the parliament, civil and public servants at all levels, disabled people organizations (DPOs), and all others interested in the inclusion of people with disabilities in society. It is available in English and French and in an accessible format. 

Resources on Indigenous Peoples 

• Several Training Modules are available in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. It is addressed to Governments, Parliamentarians, UNCTs, and facilitators. In addition, UN DESA Division for Inclusive Social Development (DISD)’s website hosts toolkits and video webinars prepared by other UN entities. 

• Guidelines for implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: a Handbook for Parliamentarians is available in English, French, Russian, and Spanish. 

• Forthcoming: Guidelines for the Development of National Action Plans for the Implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (currently being finalized by DISD and OHCHR). 

Resources on Youth 

• Training Module on Promoting Sustainable Peace through National Youth Policies: This capacity-building toolkit aims to support policymakers in designing (inclusive) national youth policies that integrate youth participation, development, peace, and security in national development processes. 

• The Guide to Youth Delegates of the United Nations provides information on national youth delegates to the United Nations and practical guidance on developing youth delegate programmes. 

Resources on Social Protection  

• A Webinar on social protection’s role in social inclusion.