General Secretary UN António Guterres urged to devote 2021 to getting rid of the consequences of coronavirus: healing the economy, society and the planet as a whole. He stated this in a New Year video message posted on Twitter .
According to him, 2020 was a year of trials, tragedies and tears, and the COVID-19 pandemic turned people’s lives upside down.
“We have already lost so many loved ones, and the pandemic continues to rage, hitting new people and taking away new human lives. The level of poverty, inequality and hunger is growing in the world. Jobs are disappearing and debts are accumulating. It is especially difficult for children,” said the Secretary General .
He noted that ahead of the New Year, along with which beams of hope are visible. Guterres called on everyone to come to terms with each other and with nature, overcome the climate crisis and stop the spread of COVID-19. “Let’s make 2021 a year of healing. Healing from the consequences of a deadly virus. Healing a disrupted economy and society. Eliminating dividing lines. And starting actions to heal our planet,” the Secretary General concluded.
Earlier, Guterres spoke about the main threats of the decade, which relate to the destruction of agreements on nuclear deterrence and lack of regulation in cyberspace. The serious challenges in global coordination, he said, “go far beyond responding to the pandemic.”
In November, the UN Secretary General expressed concern over worsening hunger and unfavorable the forecast for the food situation on the planet in 2021. With 130 million people at risk of starvation by the end of 2020, he said, the World Food Program (WFP) continues to play a vital role.