The Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) of the United Nations Secretariat says achieving sustainable development will require global actions to advance economic and social progress, requiring growth and employment, and at the same time strengthening environmental protection. It adds that sustainable strategies need to be ambitious, action-oriented and collaborative, and to adapt to different levels of development. This is contained in the 2013 World Economic and Social Survey produced by DESA and launched early this week. According to the survey, “More than 1 billion people are still living in extreme poverty” and though some progress has been made, income inequality within and among many countries is still rising. It adds that inequality, gaps and shortfalls in development partnership, rapid population growth, climate change and environmental degradation have hampered efforts to achieving sustainable development. The World Economic and Social Survey provides objective analysis of pressing long-term social and economic development issues, and discusses the positive and negative impact of corresponding policies.