Global

Trials have demonstrated that the coronavirus vaccine developed by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca is safe and effective at stopping people developing COVID-19.
University of Oxford/John Cairns

UN health agency clears COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use  

31 December 2020
Health

To speed up access to COVID-19 vaccinations in the developing world, on the eve of the new year, the UN health agency approved Pfizer and BioNTech’s vaccine for emergency use. 

A detailed view of the General Assembly Hall.
UN Photo/Cia Pak

General Assembly approves $3.2 billion UN budget for 2021

31 December 2020
UN Affairs

United Nations Member States, on Thursday, approved $3.231 billion to fund the global Organization’s regular budget for 2021. 



 

The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine was the first vaccine to be authorized for use in some countries.
BioNTech

The virus that shut down the world: the path to a vaccine

31 December 2020
Health

Vaccines that protect against COVID-19 have been developed in record time over the year but, amid fears that people from poorer countries may miss out, the UN has consistently insisted on global solidarity, to ensure that all are protected. In the final part of our series on the ways that the virus has changed the world, we trace the evolution of the COVID-19 vaccines, and how protected we are likely to be in 2021.

Volkan Bozkir, President of the UN General Assembly, addressing the UN Summit on Biodiversity in September 2020.
UN Photo/Rick Bajornas

We all have a role to play for a better tomorrow, UN Assembly President says in New Year message

30 December 2020
UN Affairs

The President of the United Nations General Assembly has urged everyone around the world “to continue to work together” to end the coronavirus pandemic, and to build an inclusive and sustainable future. 

From left: UN flag at the Headquarters, in New York; UN peacekeepers in the field; a health worker prepares a sample for testing; Secretary-General António Guterres on his way to a meeting on the ACT-Accelerator; and a WFP aircraft air-drops sacks of food.
UN Photo; UN Women (centre)

Looking back at 2020, In Case You Missed It

30 December 2020
UN Affairs

At UN News, 2020 started with a hope that the year would be one of peace for Syria’s children.  However, in the weeks that followed, the news cycle was upended by the coronavirus pandemic, that not only changed what we covered, but also how we covered UN-related news around the world.  

Men unload sacks of onions from a truck in Bamako, Mali, a landlocked developing country. Their lack of direct access to the vital trade links often result in landlocked countries paying high transport and transit costs.
World Bank/Dominic Chavez

The virus that shut down the world: Economic meltdown

30 December 2020
Economic Development

With millions forced to work from home this year, offices and shops closing as part of containment measures, and travel severely curtailed everywhere, it was inevitable that the economy would suffer. In part five of our look back at 2020, we focus on the seismic effect that COVID-19 has had on the global economy.

The UN is drawing up international rules governing the use of AI.
ITU

Bias, racism and lies: facing up to the unwanted consequences of AI

30 December 2020
Human Rights

Powerful digital tools using artificial intelligence (AI) software are helping in the fight against COVID-19, and have the potential to improve the world in many other ways. However, as AI seeps into more areas of daily life, it’s becoming clear that its misuse can lead to serious harm, leading the UN to call for strong, international regulation of the technology.

A 33-year-old man from Afghanistan, pictured with his family on the Greek island of Lesvos, is hoping to be relocated to Germany.
© UNICEF/Canaj Magnum Photos

The virus that shut down the world: The plight of refugees and migrants

29 December 2020
Migrants and Refugees

In part four of our review of the global impact of COVID-19, UN News considers the new challenges faced by refugees and migrants during 2020; from a heightened risk of catching the COVID-19 virus in crowded camps, to being stranded due to travel restrictions, and becoming the targets of criminal gangs.

Secretary General’s New Year message.
UN News

After year of ‘trials, tragedies and tears’, UN chief sends message of hope for 2021

28 December 2020
UN Affairs

As the world enters 2021, after a “year of trials, tragedies and tears”, the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has delivered a message of hope for the new year. 

A man wears a face mask and gloves while sitting in a cafe in Glasgow, Scotland.
Unsplash/Ross Sneddon

Vaccination no guarantee of virus eradication: WHO officials

28 December 2020
Health

In the final World Health Organization (WHO) COVID-19 press conference of the year, on Monday, senior officials warned that the virus is "not necessarily the big one", and that there is a real chance of another, more serious pandemic spreading across the world.