As a result of their online meeting on open science, UNESCO calls on governments to reinforce scientific cooperation and integrate open science in their research programmes to prevent and mitigate global crises. Participants from ministries in charge of science from 122 countries, joined the European Commissioner for Innovation, the African Union Commissioner for Human Resources, and the WHO’s Chief Scientist, among others to address open science in the context of COVID-19 response.

The United Nations is calling for solidarity and increased funding, as some of the world’s most vulnerable countries scale up their efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, together with three senior officials, launched a $2 billion global humanitarian response plan to fund the fight against COVID-19 in the world’s poorest countries. This inter-agency plan brings together existing appeals from the World Health Organization and other UN partners, and identifies new needs as well.

With the coronavirus pandemic extending to some of the world’s poorest countries, the United Nations is in a race against time to help prevent the further spread of COVID-19. UN country teams are stepping up their support for national authorities, while redoubling their support for frontline responders and working to help vulnerable countries strengthen their healthcare infrastructure. WHO, together with partners, is working to ensure that vital supplies, including protective equipment, reach healthcare workers treating patients in wards.

Lifestyle changes during this difficult period can adversely affect your wellbeing.  With people staying indoors and maintaining social distance, to prevent the further spread of the coronavirus, the United Nations offers resources to help cope. UNICEF proposes tips for parenting during the outbreak. UNESCO works towards learning continuity. The WHO recommends regular physical exercise and protecting your mental health. Keeping a flexible but consistent daily routine helps those seeking to strike a balance between vigilance and the need to maintain some normalcy in their lives.

The world of work is being profoundly affected by the global virus pandemic. In addition to the threat to public health, the economic and social disruption threatens the long-term livelihoods and wellbeing of millions.

A new assessment by the International Labour Organization (ILO) shows the COVID-19 pandemic could increase global unemployment by around 25 million.

Beyond a health issue, the COVID-19 pandemic is a profound shock to our societies and economies, with women at the heart of care and response efforts. As frontline responders, health professionals, community volunteers, transport and logistics managers, scientists and more, women make critical contributions to address the outbreak. The majority of caregivers, at home and in our communities, are also women. UN Women is bringing up-to-date information and analysis on how and why gender matters in COVID-19 response.

To help counter the fast-spreading Covid-19 virus in Armenia, the TOSP apparel manufacturer is diversifying production to include medical masks. The TOSP Knitting Factory, located in the Malatia-Sebastia district in the western part of the capital, Yerevan, has set up a sterile area on the factory floor and has adjusted production lines to ramp up supplies of medical face masks for health care workers and vulnerable citizens. TOSP is currently manufacturing around 2,000 masks a day.

As school closures impact more than 80% of the world’s student population, UNESCO convened an online meeting of education ministers, to share information on measures deployed to support teachers, parents and students in coping with home learning. They also pointed to emerging challenges that require global cooperation. UNESCO is launching a global education coalition to support countries in scaling up their best distance learning practices and reaching children and youth who are most at risk.

To best respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, UN Secretary-General António Guterres calls on world leaders to come together and offer an urgent and coordinated response to this global crisis. The three-part action plan includes first tackling the health emergency. Second, placing focus on the social impact and the economic response and recovery. Third, and finally, prioritizing the responsibility to "recover better." In this unprecedented situation the normal rules no longer apply and the magnitude of the response must match its scale. The world faces a common enemy.  We are at war with a virus.

As the coronavirus outbreak spreads to more countries, so does solidarity among people everywhere. As the United Nations continues to help countries counter the outbreak and protect the most vulnerable, New York staff do their part locally. About 20 to 30 blocks south of United Nations Headquarters in New York lies Stuyvesant Town, a community of more than 30,000 residents. A neighbor gives art supplies to a home-schooled child. Others are volunteering to administer wellness checks for seniors and people with disabilities, food/water delivery and pet assistance.

With the coronavirus crisis spreading to more countries with broader social and economic implications, the United Nations is mobilizing its global workforce to help affected Governments to contain or slow the onslaught of this deadly disease. While the World Health Organization (WHO) continues to lead the global fight against the spread of COVID-19, around the world, UN teams are also working with authorities to support national preparedness and response plans, including immediate health priorities and broader social and economic impacts.

What if students could shape solutions to help people forced to flee their homes? UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is challenging Model United Nations delegates worldwide to debate the major issues related to forced displacement.

Women health workers are critical in the effort to contain COVID-19 in Iran. Listen as they speak about their courage, sacrifice and gender-equal role as frontline responders to the public health crisis.

A decline in COVID-19 cases in China demonstrates that containment efforts can help alter the course of the pandemic. That’s the opinion of Dr. Gauden Galea, the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in the country.