development

A seasonal worker at a store in Buga, Colombia.
World Bank/Charlotte Kesl

Address ‘unprecedented’ impact of coronavirus on Latin America and the Caribbean, urges Guterres

9 July 2020
Health

As COVID-19 continues to spread throughout the world, Latin America and the Caribbean are now suffering some of the highest rates of transmission, the UN chief said on Thursday, releasing a new policy initiative on how best to recover in a region already embroiled in poverty, hunger, unemployment and inequality. 
 

Esther next to a tent she lives in at a camp set up for displaced people at the Jehovas Witness Centre in Dondo, Mozambique. Cyclone Idai displaced thousands of people.
UNICEF/DE WET

New UN report highlights link between gender, climate and security

9 June 2020
Peace and Security

Even as countries buckle under the devastating social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, they must consider the links between gender inequality and crisis, particularly in communities affected by climate change and conflict.

Women in Madagascar cultivate vegetables on land using a micro irrigation system, where the World Food Programme (WFP) is providing income generating opportunities to small-holder farmer organizations.
WFP/Giulio D'Adamo

Solidarity is the world’s ‘best line of defence’: UN General Assembly president

8 June 2020
SDGs

Back in September, the world committed to a landmark political declaration on universal health coverage. Now, in the throes of the COVID-19 crisis, the President of the UN General Assembly has reiterated the importance of investing in health as “an investment in human capital, social and economic development and the empowerment of all people”.

Relaxing debt financing would better allow countries to reduce the impact of the economic crisis and stop COVID-19.
© UNICEF/Mulugeta Ayene

‘Unprecedented’ financing needed to halt recession of ‘unparalleled proportions’: Mohammed

2 June 2020
SDGs

As COVID-19 has halted economic activity and threatens social wellbeing across the globe, the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) held a wide-ranging policy discussion on Tuesday, exploring financing options to address the pandemic and mobilize the resources needed for a proactive recovery.

In Niger, 1.6 million vulnerable children are affected by humanitarian crises, including border closures and COVID-19 containment measures.
© UNICEF/Juan Haro

Coordination essential to beat coronavirus, keep development goals on track

19 May 2020
SDGs

As the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis continues to wreak havoc across the world – with the most vulnerable suffering the most – the UN chief said on Tuesday that the task of eradicating poverty and achieving the development goals “has never been more challenging, more urgent and more necessary”.