Against the backdrop of the raging COVID-19 pandemic, the world economy in 2020 is projected to shrink by 3.2 per cent, racking up some $8.5 trillion in overall losses – wiping out nearly four years of output gains, according to a mid-year economic analysis by the United Nations. More
UNODC, WHO, UNAIDS and OHCHR joint statement on COVID-19 in prisons and other closed settings
Decent living and working conditions as well as access to necessary health services free of charge form intrinsic elements of this obligation. There must be no discrimination on the basis of the legal or any other status of people deprived of their liberty. Health care in prisons, including preventive, supportive and curative care, should be of the highest quality possible, at least equivalent to that provided in the community. Priority responses to COVID-19 currently implemented in the community, such as hand hygiene and physical distancing, are often severely restricted or not possible in closed settings. More
UN chief appeals to ‘common humanity’ across all faiths, in tackling the coronavirus
Our shared vulnerability to the coronavirus pandemic reveals “our common humanity”, the UN chief said on Tuesday during an online meeting with religious leaders on the important role they can play, in limiting the damage caused by COVID-19. More
75 years on from the Nazi defeat, many still suffer impact of conflict: Guterres
On 8 and 9 May, the UN commemorates the millions who lost their lives during the Second World War, the tragic conflict that led to the birth of the United Nations. In a video message released late on Friday, UN chief António Guterres warned that divisions still exist, and called for a world based on peace and unity. More
COVID-19: UN and partners launch $6.7 billion appeal for vulnerable countries
Humanitarians are seeking nearly $7 billion to protect millions of lives and halt the spread of COVID-19 in more than 60 of the world’s most fragile countries. The updated Global Humanitarian Response Plan, launched on Thursday, provides help and protection that prioritize the most vulnerable in society, such as older people, people with disabilities, and women and girls. More
Preventing corruption, a priority during COVID-19
Adopting comprehensive auditing, oversight, accountability and reporting mechanisms to monitor the disbursement process is one of the key recommendations to prevent corruption in the Pacific during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, according to a new advisory note from the United Nations Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption (UN-PRAC) Project. More
UN celebrates midwives during COVID-19 crisis because ‘childbirth doesn’t stop for pandemics’
Press freedom critical to countering COVID-19 ‘pandemic of misinformation’: UN chief
Journalists are key to countering the “dangerous outbreak of misinformation” accompanying the COVID-19 pandemic, the UN Secretary-General said on Monday during a virtual dialogue on promoting press freedom amid the global crisis. More
CORONA VIRUS (COVID-19) INFORMATION
There has been a lot of misinformation on COVID-19: no, putting pepper in your soup won’t help and house flies do not transmit the virus, these are some of the rumours. Help us put it straight – stamp out the rumours – be properly informed – have a look at the WHO myth buster page.
You can also find more information and keep
up to date on the UN Coronavirus Global
Emergency Site.
Science, Solidarity, Solutions.
UN in the Pacific Colleagues Speak with University of Canberra Students This Week
Aligning with the words of the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, “Partnerships are at the core of our strategy”, the United Nations Information Centre in Canberra partnered with UN family in Timor Leste to deliver educational outreach webinars to the students of University of Canberra, Australia on 29th April 2020. The webinars were well attended by students of various disciplines, academia and interested civil society members.
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