This report provides an overview of global and regional trends in employment, unemployment, labour force participation, productivity, as well as employment status, informal employment and working poverty. It also examines income and social developments, and provides an indicator of social unrest.

Each year 15 million people between the ages of 30 and 69 die from cancers, diabetes, heart disease and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Over 85 percent of these premature deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) call for a one-third reduction in premature mortality from NCDs by 2030.

Social protection is critical in helping children escape poverty and its devastating effects, yet, the vast majority of children have no effective social protection coverage, UNICEF and the ILO said in a joint report . Evidence shows clearly that cash transfers play a vital role in breaking the vicious cycle of poverty and vulnerability.

The 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development offers a unique framework for transformative pathways towards sustainability worldwide. The 2030 Agenda also requires a paradigm shift in governance, - at and between all levels.

The establishment of SDG 6, Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all, reflects the increased attention on water and sanitation issues in the global political agenda.

The year 2019 is an important one for the international community working on the SDGs: it not only marks the “minus one” year deadline for achieving the 2020 targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, but it is also characterized by various high-level intergovernmental meetings that should keep the momentum going on the 2030 Agenda’

India will continue to remain the world’s fastest-growing large economy in 2019 as well as in 2020, much ahead of China, a UN report said. According to the UN’s World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) 2019, India’s GDP growth is expected to accelerate to 7.6% in 2019-20 from an estimated 7.4% in the current fiscal ending March 2019.

This document has been prepared to clarify the roles and responsibilities of local government in the federal context as they have major role in preparation of policy, plans, monitoring & management of renewable energy related projects.

This book aims to give policy makers an overview of the evolution of science, technology and innovation (STI) policies in a selected number of East Asian countries. China, Japan, Republic of Korea and Singapore have transformed their economies and societies in recent decades.