UN Chief Addresses the Global #COVID19 Crisis (19 March 2020)

Watch LIVE United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres virtual press briefing to address the global #covid19 crisis.  

Facing a global health crisis “unlike any in the 75-year history of the United Nations,” Secretary-General António Guterres today (19 Mar) called for a “coordinated, decisive, and innovative policy action from the world’s leading economies.”

Guterres, speaking to reporters remotely from UN Headquarters, said, “a global recession – perhaps of record dimensions – is a near certainty,” and stressed that “current responses at the country level will not address the global scale and complexity of the crisis.”

He welcomed the decision by G20 leaders to convene an emergency summit next week “to respond to the epic challenges” posed by the pandemic.

The Secretary-General said, “we are in an unprecedented situation and the normal rules no longer apply. We cannot resort to the usual tools in such unusual times. The creativity of the response must match the unique nature of the crisis – and the magnitude of the response must match its scale.

He highlighted three critical areas for action; tackling the health emergency, focusing on the social impact and the economic response and recovery, and thirdly, a responsibility to “recover better.”

Guterres said, “if we let the virus spread like wildfire – especially in the most vulnerable regions of the world -- it would kill millions of people” and urged nations to “immediately move away from a situation where each country is undertaking its own health strategies to one that ensures, in full transparency, a coordinated global response.”

These strategies, he said, include “wage support, insurance, social protection, preventing bankruptcies and job loss” as well as “designing fiscal and monetary responses to ensure that the burden does not fall on those who can least afford it.”

Noting that “more than 800 million children are out of school right now,” Guterres said “we must ensure that all children have access to food and equal access to learning – bridging the digital divide and reducing the costs of connectivity.”

The Secretary-General concluded by saying “we have a responsibility to ‘recover better’” and to “ensure that lessons are learned and that this crisis provides a watershed moment for health emergency preparedness and for investment in critical 21st century public services and the effective delivery of global public goods.”

Asked about how these initiatives would be funded, Guterres said, “wee see that whenever there is a problem in banking system, trillions appear to solve the problems of the banks. And these trillions must appear now. The governments and central banks must work to guarantee that there is liquidity in the economy, but also that funds are mobilized to those who are most in need. And those who are most in need are people, on one hand, and the poorest countries on the the other. “

He said, “it is absolutely essential to show solidarity in the way we respond to the crisis.”

[Danosta]

Our minister of Healthcare collapsed on live national television and resigned because of a mental breakdown, he doesn't know how to solve this crisis, and save his people!! I live in the Netherlands by far the richest country in the EU, but we cant help undeveloped countries. We are also in a big crisis, one the highest deathtolls, in a week there will be no hospitalbed left, we dont have enough supllies, and because of the lockdown the government pays insane amounts of money to everyone so companies wont fall and the economy stays alive, and everyone can keep paying rent and buy food. We are solidair, but first we need to save our own people.

[bc]

So rehearsed, its almost seems genuine. Thanks for revealing the seriousness of these global calamities.

[irenezafar]

you describe this as 'a virtual press conference' ... i am, unfortunately old enough to remember radio ... please explain to me in what iota this 'virtual press conference' differs from a press conference on the radio FOR THE CONSUMER, FOR THE LISTENER

if there is no-one in the room with him, why does The Secretary-General of (these our) United Nations turn to his left and look downwards ...?!

p.s. i have gone so far as to look up the English word "virtual" in my dictionary, Chambers Twentieth Dictionary ... a bit old hat now i suppose but it's always worked for me

p.p.s. permit me to employ this comment to convey to The Secretary General my enduring support

[ryanburchett]

Nice to see the United Nations has competent leadership. It's like stepping out of the Twilight Zone and into a different universe.

[giriarumana]

GOOD GOVERNANCE OF NATION CONCERNS IS VITAL PART TO CONTROL THE CRISIS ***

. STRONG IMPLEMENTATION OF
ORDERS ***
IS QUALITY OF LEADER SHIP S ***

FOR THE RIGHTS OF FAITH ***

TO GOOD WILL OF PEOPLE OF WORLD ***

&

THIS THE OPPORTUNITY TO REALISE THE POWER OF REALITIES IN THE WORLD &. NATURE ***

[waindayoungthain]

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[zionvas]

Cure 4 death, trust god jesus death on cross destroyed ur death n arose frm tomb on 3rd day opened heaven 2 all his believers dead or alive when he comes again. C jesus death in google..

[giriarumana]

THE SITUATION MADE AWARENESS OF- SANITATION ON LIVING CULTURE WITH LAST CITIZEN OF THE WORLD ***

. NONE COMMERCIAL LIVING SYSTEM S /. CULTURE IS NECESSARY TO POLLUTION FREE WORLD. ***

.

[joaojoao-oizv]

cursed servants who only do as they are told,
you can see he's reading the message🤬🤬

[johnhartley]

You just admitted the limitations of free-market capitalism. It's too late for the British, we are stuck with Boris. But if you American vote for Democratic Socialism.

[carlosjorgemartinsjorge]

No Brasil, o Bozo, estimula protestos.

[meharbhai]

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[rjacksoniiibeyallrightsres]

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