"CONFERENCES"

Following behind-closed-doors consultations with the Security Council on Libya, Secretary-General António Guterres said the international conference on Libya in Berlin, was “a major step, but cautioned that it was is “just the beginning” and there is “still a long way to go.” UNIFEED

Almost half a billion people are working fewer paid hours than they would like or lack adequate access to paid work, according to a new International Labour Organization (ILO) report. ILO

UN chief António Guterres said participants in today’s international conference on Libya in Berlin sent a strong signal that they are fully committed to supporting a peaceful resolution to the crisis in the country and stressed the summit’s conclusion that “there is no military solution to the conflict in Libya.” UNIFEED / PRESS AND INFORMATION OFFICE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF GERMANY

The global economy has suffered a significant slowdown amid prolonged trade disputes and wide-ranging policy uncertainties. While a slight uptick in economic activity is forecast for 2020, the World Economic Situation and Prospects 2020 (WESP 2020) warns that economic risks remain strongly tilted to the downside, aggravated by deepening political polarization and increasing scepticism over the benefits of multilateralism. UNIFEED

Growth in Europe is projected to remain moderate, as the region continues to face multiple downside risks, according to the United Nations World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) 2020, which was launched today. UNTV CH

Briefing by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

Secretary-General António Guterres congratulated Guyana as it assumed the Presidency of the of the Group of 77 and China (G77) and said 2019 “was a crucial year for the Organization, and the Group of 77 was central to securing a good outcome for the United Nations in many important negotiations.” UNIFEED

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis met with the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Kristalina Georgieva in Washington today with a warm greeting and signaling the improvement in relations between his country and the Fund. IMF

Press Briefing by Dang Dinh Quy, Permanent Representative of Viet Nam and President of the Security Council, for the month of January.

Briefing by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.