Secretary-General, in New Year’s Message, Calls for Bold Pandemic Recovery, New Emphasis on Science, Debt Relief to Surmount Poverty, Inequality

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ New Year’s video message, issued today:

The world welcomes 2022 with our hopes for the future being tested.

By deepening poverty and worsening inequality.  By an unequal distribution of COVID‑19 vaccines.  By climate commitments that fall short.  And by ongoing conflict, division, and misinformation.

These are not just policy tests.  These are moral and real-life tests.

And they are tests that humanity can pass — if we commit to making 2022 a year of recovery for everyone.

Recovery from the pandemic — with a bold plan to vaccinate every person, everywhere.

Recovery for our economies — with wealthier countries supporting the developing world with financing, investment and debt relief.

Recovery from mistrust and division — with a new emphasis on science, facts and reason.

Recovery from conflicts — with a renewed spirit of dialogue, compromise and reconciliation.

And recovery for our planet — with climate commitments that match the scale and urgency of the crisis.

Moments of great difficulty are also moments of great opportunity.  To come together in solidarity.  To unite behind solutions that can benefit all people.  And to move forward — together — with hope in what our human family can accomplish.

Together, let’s make recovery our resolution for 2022.  For people, planet and prosperity.

I wish you all a happy and peaceful New Year.