"PANDEMIC"

Laying out his priorities for 2022, Secretary-General António Guterres told the General Assembly that “we face a five-alarm global fire that requires the full mobilization of all countries,” referring to the raging COVID-19 pandemic, a morally bankrupt global financial system, the climate crisis, lawlessness in cyberspace, and diminished peace and security. UNIFEED

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres saluted young people around the world “for raising their voices – in the streets and online – and standing up for climate action, gender equality, racial and social justice and so much more.” UNIFEED

Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

Condemning Holocaust denial, General Assembly adopts resolution urging development of educational programmes to prevent genocide acts among future generations.

President of the UN General Assembly Abdulla Shahid outlines his priorities for the remainder of the seventy-sixth session.

While Omicron infections on average “may be less severe”, WHO chief Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus warned that the “the narrative that it is a mild disease is misleading, hurts the overall response, and costs more lives,” as the variant continues to “sweep the world.” WHO

UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet told the Security Council, “decisions on peace that do not reflect women's voices, realities and rights are not sustainable,” adding that “there must be clear advocacy for and significant investment in women human rights defenders and peacebuilders.” UNIFEED

Noon briefing by Stephen Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

Prospects for women peacebuilders vastly worse than before pandemic as spoilers ramp up action aimed at silencing their voices, human rights chief warns Security Council.

Norway will hold an open debate to address how the intimidation of and violence and reprisals against women – because of their engagement in peace and security processes – threaten our shared goal of ensuring women's full, equal and meaningful participation in all stages of peace processes.