Economic issues

Following are UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s remarks at the ninth African Regional Forum for Sustainable Development 2023, in Niamey, Niger, today:

Twelve years filled with destruction and war, corruption, sanctions and the Lebanese financial collapse, as well as the recent COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, have contributed to “a twin humanitarian and economic crisis of epic proportions”, the Special Envoy for Syria told the Council today, giving a detailed report on the embattled country.

In the Central African Republic, the United Nations peacekeeping mission there launched a countrywide campaign on 16 January to promote efforts to protect civilians and to build confidence between the internal security forces and the population.

Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks at the World Economic Forum, in Davos, Switzerland, today:

In Nigeria, due to continued conflict, climate change, inflation and rising food prices nearly 25 million people are at risk of hunger between June and August, if urgent action is not taken, according to a food and nutrition analysis by Nigeria’s Government in partnership with the United Nations.

In two separate reports released today, the United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation said that approximately 5 million children died before their fifth birthday and another 2.1 million children and youth lost their lives in 2021.

Marking the Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare, the Secretary-General said that chemical weapons have claimed countless victims across the globe. He stressed that on this Day, the international community must honour them and reaffirm its commitment to achieve a world free from this threat.

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ video message for the fifth International Trade Union Confederation’s (ITUC) World Congress, in Melbourne today:

Following is the text of UN Secretary‑General António Guterres’ video message for the European Union Sustainable Investment Summit, in Brussels today:

In the Gambia, the United Nations is assisting the Government following the deaths of a number of children due to acute kidney injury in the last two and a half months. The Organization is supporting authorities to investigate the cause of the outbreak and prevent further spread.