UN CHIEF URGES BUSINESSES TO HELP LOW-INCOME NATIONS AMID COVID AND CLIMATE CRISES

Tue 18 January 2022:

On Monday (January 17), UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivered a virtual presentation at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Davos Agenda 2022, emphasizing the need for immediate action to assist developing nations in the face of climate, coronavirus (COVID-19), and other problems.

Guterres urged business leaders to support developing countries in the global financial system’s transformation. In the current situation, developing and low-income countries require access to COVID-19 vaccines as well as aid in dealing with the climate catastrophe and its implications.

Special Address by @antonioguterres, Secretary-General, @UN with @borgebrende #DavosAgenda https://t.co/daBRBJi4HF

— World Economic Forum (@wef) January 17, 2022

Guterres stated during his speech that low-income countries are at a significant disadvantage. “They’re experiencing their slowest growth in a generation,” Guterres said.

“The burdens of record inflation, shrinking fiscal space, high-interest rates and soaring energy and food prices are hitting every corner of the world and blocking recovery — especially in low- and some middle-income countries,” he added.

Talking about Covid vaccine equity, he said, “Last fall, the World Health Organization unveiled a strategy to vaccinate 40 per cent of people in all countries by the end of last year and 70 per cent by the middle of this year. We are nowhere near these targets.”

“Vaccination rates in high-income countries are shamefully seven times higher than in African countries, and we need vaccine equity now,” he added.

Guterres, who took over as UN Secretary-General on January 1 for a second five-year term, has long advocated for stronger global action to address COVID-19 vaccination inequities and climate change, as well as financial system reform.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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