2021. Report of the secretary-general on the work of the organization

Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, lamented the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the world. The effect of this has been felt at various levels beyond health, affecting the economic sphere, and human rights. The United Nations has been committed to providing financial support to some 160 countries affected by COVID-19, as well as in the field of education, where it has dedicated resources to enable children to continue their distance learning.

Guterres emphasizes that collaboration with governments and other institutions is key to meeting the Sustainable Development Goals and to fulfilling the 2030 Agenda. Among the challenges we have to face are reducing inequalities, fighting for gender equality, and investing in renewable energy sources. However, the climate crisis must lay at the core of the agenda.

It stressed the importance of including a gender perspective in the implementation of policies that respond to the above-mentioned challenges. To boost development programs in low- and middle-income countries, he emphasized that cooperation with international financial institutions will be key.

In terms of global climate action, the Climate Ambition Summit was held in December 2020, in which companies and cities presented their plans and commitments to meet the 2030 agenda.

With regard to global armed conflicts, the United Nations called for a ceasefire in order to be able to respond to the pandemic and for vaccination to be carried out. This decision was supported by 180 Member States and the Security Council. The efforts of United Nations peacekeeping operations and political missions to continue their work in such circumstances should be remarked, as well as the inclusion of women among peacekeepers, and the participation of youth in peace processes.

However, he stated that the pandemic has not been an impediment to continuing the fight for human rights. In the area of gender equality, for example, she called for more women to take leadership positions and for family planning programs to be promoted to control the birth rate. It also expressed concern about the significant impact of COVID-19 on women’s access to medical facilities and the right to health.

To have access to the full document on the Annual Report, which includes a detailed study on the work of the organization in 2021, go to the following link: https://www.un.org/annualreport/es/index.html

Author: Noelia Gómez Bosqued, intern at ANUE