Social issues

Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message for the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, observed on 17 October:

Following is the text of UN Deputy Secretary‑General Amina Mohammed’s video message to the United Nations High‑level Advisory Board on Economic and Social Affairs, today:

Weather-related disasters have risen five-fold since 1970, killing $2 million people, mostly in developing countries, and causing $3.64 trillion in losses, the World Meteorological Organization reported today.  However, the number of deaths fell significantly thanks to better early warning systems and disaster management.

Following is the text of UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s video message to Osun State University panel on “Social cohesion, equity and sustainability:  Time for unity in action”, in Nigeria on 14 July:

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ video message to the fourteenth session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, held today:

The Commission for Social Development concluded its fifty-ninth session today, forwarding four draft resolutions, all without a vote, to the Economic and Social Council for consideration, including one that addressed this year’s priority theme for the 46-member subsidiary body — the role of digital technologies on social development and the well-being of all.

The protection of vulnerable communities took centre stage in the Commission for Social Development today, as representatives of Government and civil society alike explored ways to digitally connect the elderly, persons with disabilities, minorities, migrants and people living in rural, coastal or inland areas with the services they need to enhance their well-being.

The Commission for Social Development resumed its general discussion in virtual format today, with representatives of Member States emphasizing the growing importance of digital technology in the global quest to overcome poverty, achieve sustainable development and build better lives for all.

The Commission for Social Development held a multi-stakeholder forum today, with panellists from around the globe exploring how to surmount the myriad fissures in social service provision by harnessing the use of digital technologies and laying new infrastructures that cater to the most vulnerable communities.

Government ministers, senior officials and representatives of Member States underscored the myriad ways that their countries have embraced digital technology to confront the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, as the Commission for Social Development resumed its general discussion today in a virtual format.