Intensified debt relief could save economies, prevent defaults
As economies across the globe struggle to cope with an economic crisis triggered by COVID-19, the United Nations today called for robust policy action to ensure economic stability. The global community has offered partial debt service suspensions to 76 low-income countries, and the IMF has offered debt service relief to 25 of the poorest countries.… Read more ›
Data tells the story on how COVID-19 is changing the world
The coronavirus is ravaging across the world, causing death, serious illness and changing life as we know it. Beyond the obvious human toll of this fast spreading desease; how is it affecting different aspects of public and private life like individual incomes, employment, the well-being of women and children and access to public services? A… Read more ›
COVID-19 to slash global economic output by $8.5 trillion over next two years
Pandemic to push more than 34 million people into extreme poverty in 2020 Against the backdrop of a devastating pandemic, the global economy is projected to contract sharply by 3.2 per cent this year, according to the United Nations World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) mid-2020 report, released today. The global economy is expected to… Read more ›
Open Call for NGOs to apply for ECOSOC consultative status
With COVID-19, humanity faces its biggest test since World War II. But even if we do defeat the disease soon, it will leave in its wake a world of rising poverty, hunger, inequalities and greenhouse gas emissions. No country and no organization can take on these immense tasks alone – we need all hands on… Read more ›
‘Urgency to act’ for sustainable development, greater than ever as coronavirus pandemic continues
As COVID-19 upends lives and livelihoods across the planet, the UN on Monday held a wide-ranging policy discussion stressing a range of multilateral solutions to ease the pandemic, while also getting back on track towards achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “Our commitment to achieving the SDGs has not changed, but the urgency to… Read more ›
Coronavirus and human rights: New UN report calls for disability-inclusive recovery
The COVID-19 pandemic is intensifying inequalities experienced by the world’s one billion people with disabilities, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in launching a report issued on Wednesday that calls for a disability-inclusive recovery and response to the crisis. Even under normal circumstances, people with disabilities are less likely to access education, healthcare and income opportunities,… Read more ›
Severe downturns in labour-intensive sectors spell trouble for global inequality
The global economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is shaping up to be the worst since the tragically consequential Great Depression. Countless comparisons have been made between the current economic situation and the global financial crisis of 2008. Although similar in terms of their impact, especially on employment and income, key differences make the… Read more ›
COVID-19 recovery measures could prevent widening inequalities due to pandemic
Insufficient response to the crisis will likely worsen physical, economic health of already disadvantaged groups As COVID-19 reveals wide differences in outcomes between various social groups the pandemic is also an opportunity for policymakers to take measures that will reduce inequalities in the long term, according to a new policy brief released by the UN Department… Read more ›
Follow Us