2021
Report of the Secretary-General
on the Work of the Organization
Introduction
by António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United NationsThe COVID-19 pandemic dominated the past year, around the globe and at the United Nations. We are a world in mourning for the millions of people we have lost. The pandemic is the greatest shared global challenge since the founding of our organization; every country has faced pain, uncertainty and vulnerability. The global health, social, economic and human rights crises triggered by the pandemic have underscored the importance of multilateral cooperation – and tested it to the limit.
The global health, social, economic
and human rights crises
triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic have underscored
the importance of
multilateral cooperation –
and tested it to the limit.
________
António Guterres, Secretary-General
Over
36,000
United Nations
Secretariat staff
delivering results across 8 priority areas
Sustainable Development
More than 240 million people received essential services with support from UN country teams and resident coordinators; 120 million people benefited from social schemes.
Peace and Security
Deployed 40+ peacekeeping,
special political missions and offices to prevent conflict and support peacebuilding efforts.
Development in Africa
Supported 38 countries and 3 Regional Economic Communities in developing national strategies to harness the benefit of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement.
Human Rights
Engaged with resident coordinators and country teams in 59+ countries to place human rights at the centre of COVID-19 Socio-Economic Response Plans.
Humanitarian Assistance
Helped mobilize $19.1B to assist 264.2M people in 64 countries and territories.
International Justice and Law
As of 2020, deposited 632 multilateral treaties with the Secretary-General addressing matters of worldwide interest.
Disarmament
Supported the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which entered into force on 22 January 2021, following the fiftieth ratification.
Drugs, Crime and Terrorism
Contributed to COVID-19 preparedness in detention centres in more than 50+ Member States, resulting in improved prison conditions and basic services for detainees.