#COVID-19

The General Assembly adopted on 18 June a resolution on peacekeeping operations and a decision extending its “silence procedure” through July, allowing it to continue its work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message for World Refugee Day, observed on 20 June:

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ video message for United Nations Public Service Day, observed on 23 June:

Forced displacement is now affecting more than one percent of humanity, or 1 in 97 people, and fewer of those who flee are able to return home, according to a report issued today by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

With a record 79.5 million people around the world living in forced exile, the Security Council must overcome its differences and make real progress to resolve long-running conflicts and clear the way for refugees and internally displaced persons to return home, the Head of the United Nations refugee agency told the 15-member organ during a 18 June videoconference meeting.

A new United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) report finds that universal child benefits such as cash payments or tax transfers — crucial to fighting child poverty — are only available in 1 out of 10 countries.  Officials say that they are needed now more than ever amid the economic fallout of COVID-19.

Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks to the China‑Africa Summit on solidarity against COVID-19, in New York today:

More than 55 million domestic workers — 37 million of whom are women — are at risk of losing their jobs and income amid COVID-19 lockdowns, the International Labour Organization (ILO) is warning.  Only about 10 per cent of domestic workers globally have access to social security safety nets.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) launched the ZODIAC project to strengthen global preparedness for future pandemics by establishing a network to help with monitoring, surveillance, early detection and control of animal and zoonotic diseases such as COVID-19, Ebola, avian influenza and Zika.

Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message for the International Day of Family Remittances, to be observed on 16 June: