UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres
UN Chief call for global solidarity, int’l cooperation to tackle Covid-19
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for global solidarity and greater international cooperation, and it must be turned into an opportunity for fundamental change.
Despite pandemic challenge, global deal on migration ‘taking root’: UN Chief
UN Secretary-General António Guterres, said the Global Compact for Migration, adopted by countries in 2018 as a comprehensive framework for cooperation on international migration, is “taking root in promising ways”.
Women in Life: Commonwealth begins 16 days of actions Wednesday
The Commonwealth and the NO MORE Foundation are launching a ‘16 Days of Actions’ blog series on Wednesday to help end violence against women and girls.
Societies pay price when journalists targeted: UN chief
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has reiterated his call for a free press that can play its essential role in peace, justice, sustainable development and human rights as the world fights the COVID-19 pandemic.
UN chief appeals for investment in culture to promote global solidarity
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for investment in culture to promote global solidarity.
Invest in data management: UN chief
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged all to invest in and support the vital role of data in meeting the challenges.
"Let us commit to invest in and support the vital role of data in meeting the challenges of our time," he said in a message marking the World Statistics Day.
Guterres said statistics are fundamental for evidence-based policymaking.
"Current, reliable, timely and trusted data help us to understand the changing world in which we live and to drive the transformations that are needed, leaving no one behind," he said.
The coronavirus pandemic has further elevated the importance of data to save lives and recover better, said the UN chief.
Guterres said this Day is an opportunity to recognize the statisticians worldwide who work to provide reliable data, adhere to the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics, and build more resilient and insightful data ecosystems.
"Our recently launched “Data Strategy for Action by Everyone, Everywhere” is an agenda for data-driven efforts to provide greater insight, impact and integrity as we strive to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals," he said.
The UN chief wished everyone around the world a data-rich World Statistics Day.
Invest more in universal health coverage: UN Chief
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday called on governments to invest more in universal health coverage, reports Xinhua.
Let's be inspired by Gandhi’s spirit: UN chief
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has highlighted the remarkable power of non-violence and peaceful protest.
"Let’s be inspired by the spirit of Gandhi and the enduring principles of the UN Charter," he said in a message on the International Day of Non-Violence.
In marking the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, Guterres said it is also a timely reminder to strive to uphold the values that Gandhi lived by: the promotion of dignity, equal protection for all, and communities living together in peace.
"On this year’s observance, we’ve a special duty: stop the fighting to focus on our common enemy: Covid-19. There’s only one winner of conflict during a pandemic: the virus itself," he said.
As the pandemic took hold, the UN Chief called for a global ceasefire. "Today we need a new push by the international community to make this a reality by the end of this year."
He said ceasefires would ease immense suffering, help lower the risk of famine and create space for negotiations towards peace.
"Deep mistrust stands in the way. Yet, I see reasons for hope. In some places, we see a standstill in the violence," Guterres said.
A great many Member States, religious leaders, civil society networks and others back his call.
"Now is the time to intensify our efforts," said the UN chief.
Global Covid-19 cases surge past 34 mn
The confirmed coronavirus caseload across the world has crossed 34 million on Friday morning, according to the latest tally provided by the Johns Hopkins University (JHU).