UNDP Mexico

Mexico becomes first country to launch SDG sovereign bond. Mexico has become the first country in the world to issue a Sovereign Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Bond, in partnership with the United Nations Development programme. The seven-year bond, issued for a total value of $890m, comes amid growing demand for sustainable and social bonds.

Bamboo Capital founder: how 20 years of work led to SDG500 platform What do you get when you combine four UN agencies, an international NGO, and an alliance of 30 African states? Bamboo Capital Partners' founder Jean-Philippe de Schrevel tells Geneva Solutions how he came up with the "crazy" idea to unite six SDG funds and create a $500m investment platform.

EU details renewables push to reach tougher climate target. The European Union needs to hike its renewable energy and energy saving targets, according to its analysis published on Thursday of how the bloc could make deeper emissions cuts this decade.

New $500m UN fund planned for coral reefs. A new fund to protect coral reefs was officially launched on the sidelines of the 75th Session of the UN General Assembly. The Global Fund for Coral Reefs seeks to raise and invest USD $500m in coral reef conservation over the next 10 years.

UN Photo / Jean Marc Ferré

Michelle Bachelet, the United Nations high commissioner for human rights, during 45th session of the Human Rights Council, which began this week at the Palais des Nations in Geneva and will run until 6 October. The council have so far addressed or held talks on a range of human rights issues and country situations, including LGBT rights abuses, attacks on Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar and human rights violations and abuses in Burundi.

21-24 September | Sustainable Development Impact Summit. This virtual summit organised by the World Economic Forum will host a series of live sessions exploring how to initiate, accelerate and scale-up entrepreneurial solutions to tackle climate change and advance sustainable development.

23 September | Sustainable Finance Trends in Switzerland & Hong Kong: 2020 and Beyond. The Consulate General of Switzerland in Hong Kong, Swiss Sustainable Finance (SSF) and Sustainable Finance Initiative (SFi) will host a webinar focused on the sustainable finance industry landscapes in Switzerland and Hong Kong.

22-24 September | SDG Action Zone. Part of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the SDG Action Zone is fully virtual this year and comprises a whole array of sessions and talks on core areas for accelerating action on the Sustainable Development Goals.