The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the main global intergovernmental body dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women. It meets in a two-week session every year where UN agencies, Member States, and civil society organizations (like the UCC) discuss issues facing women, girls, and gender equality. 

• 70th Session: 09-20 March 2026 at UN HQ in NYC 

• Priority Theme: Ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls, including by promoting inclusive and equitable legal systems, eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices, and addressing structural barriers

The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) at the UN plays a critical role in sexual and reproductive health (SRH) by setting policy and monitoring progress toward goals including universal access to SRH services. Member States meet to monitor, review, and assess population trends while also providing appropriate recommendations based on how those trends interact with development issues.

• 59th Session: 13-17 April 2026 at UN HQ in New York

• Theme: Population, technology and research in the context of sustainable development.

In the last 10 years, there has been heightened understanding and awareness of the lived experiences of people of African descent, however the work to be does not stop here. At the end of 2024, the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent (PFPAD) made the proclamation to extend the International Decade for People of African Descent for a 2nd decade lasting until 2034 with the goal of addressing systemic racism, reparatory justice and sustainable development.  

• 5th Session: Date TBD

• Theme: TBD

With over 370 million Indigenous people worldwide, the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (PFII), a high-level advisory body to the Economic and Social Council, provides recommendations, raises awareness, and disseminates information on Indigenous issues.   

• 25th Session: 20 April – 1 May 2026

• Theme: Ensuring Indigenous Peoples’ health, including in the context of conflict.

Each year, high-level governmental representatives, key stakeholders, and civil society members come together to follow-up and review the progress of the Sustainable Development Goals. This gather is called the High Level Political Forum (HLPF). 

• HLPF 2026: 06-15 July 2026 in New York

• Theme: Transformative, equitable, innovative and coordinated actions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals for a sustainable future for all.

• SDG In-Depth Reviews:
  • SDG 6 – Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
  • SDG 7 -Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
  • SDG 9 – Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
  • SDG 11 – Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
  • SDG 17 – Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development.

The UN General Assembly (UNGA) is the main policy-making body pf the United Nations; a space where all 193 Member States have an equal vote. This body makes key decisions such as appointing the Secretary-General, electing non-permanent members of the Security council, and approving the UN Budget.  

• 80th Session: 9-23 September 2025 

Conference of the Parties (COP) is an annual global meeting where world leaders, scientists, non-governmental organizations, and civil society leaders gather to discuss actions to tackle climate change.  

• COP 30: 10-21 November 2025 in Belém, Brazil 

In 2025, countries adopted the Addis Ababa Action Agenda as a blueprint for sustainable development with special focus on financing. With a goal of both addressing and closing the financial divide between developed and developing countries, the forums of Financing for Development (FfD) focus on ways to reform and support international financial systems. 

• 4th Session: 30 June – 3 July 2025 in Sevilla, Spain 

Consisting of 47 Member States, the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) works to ensure that all people know of, understand, and can use their rights. This body is the main intergovernmental body within the United Nations focused on the promotion and protection of human rights globally. 

• 59th Session: 16 June – 11 July 2025 

The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) facilitates periodic reviews of the human rights of all 193 Member States. These allow all member States to report on the actions they have taken to improve the human rights situations in their respective countries as well as challenges they may be facing. NGOs and other Stakeholders are also able to submit reports and suggestions for improvement.  

• World Council of Churches – Member Churches 

• ACT alliance 

• Committee of Religious NGOs (CrNGO) 

• Ecumenical Women 

• Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC) 

• Conference on NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the UN (CoNGO) 

• NGO/CSW New York

• Office of the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide (OSAPG) 

• United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)