United Nations in Philippines

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15 August 2022

Statement of the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations and Humanitarian Coordinator in the Philippines Mr. Gustavo Gonzalez On the Appointment by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the New Bangsamoro Transitional Authority

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11 August 2022

UN Philippines chief reviews progress on national plan on child protection and armed conflict

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09 August 2022

Global challenges expose the inadequacy of current education models, says UN Philippines chief

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15 August 2022

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11 August 2022

UN Philippines chief reviews progress on national plan on child protection and armed conflict

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09 August 2022

Global challenges expose the inadequacy of current education models, says UN Philippines chief

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The Sustainable Development Goals in Philippines

The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in the Philippines. Data in this section is currently being updated and under review.

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06 April 2021

The United Nations in the Philipines - Get information on Resident Agencies in the country

The UN Country Team (UNCT) in the Philippines consists of eleven resident funds, programmes, and specialized agencies (FAO, IFAD, ILO, IOM, UNDP, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNIDO, WFP, and WHO), six project offices (UNAIDS, UNESCO, UN Habitat, UNODC, UNOPS, UN Women), and three secretariat offices (OCHA, UNIC and UNDSS). Standing invitees are ADB, IMF, and the World Bank. The UN assists and supports the Government of the Philippines in its important development, peacebuilding and humanitarian priorities. Check out their websites for more information: FAO ILO IOM OCHA UN-Habitat UNAIDS UNDP UNFPA UNHCR UNICEF UNIDO UNOPS WFP WHO

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08 May 2020

A coordinated response to coronavirus

See how UN resident agencies in the Philippines are responding to COVID-19 FAO ILO IOM OCHA UN-Habitat UNAIDS UNDP UNFPA UNHCR UNICEF UNIDO UNOPS WFP WHO The global UN response to COVID-19 On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) characterized the coronavirus (COVID-19) viral disease a pandemic, but it is a pandemic that can be controlled. Coronavirus (COVID-19) is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who heads the UN agency, said, in his statement, “Let me be clear: describing this as a pandemic does not mean that countries should give up.” The UN Secretary-General urged all countries to take a comprehensive approach tailored to their circumstances – with containment as the central pillar. Coronavirus (COVID-19) is affecting thousands of people, impacting countries’ health systems and having widespread social and economic effects. The UN entities working on development, the United Nations Sustainable Development Group, are supporting countries in their preparedness and response plans. This page convenes sources of information and guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations (UN) regarding the current outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19). WHO is working closely with global experts, governments and partners to track the spread and to provide guidance to countries and individuals on measures to protect health and prevent the spread of this outbreak. Response and Recovery Fund “COVID-19 is the greatest test that we have faced together since the formation of the United Nations,” said Secretary-General António Guterres. “This human crisis demands coordinated, decisive, inclusive and innovative policy action from the world’s leading economies –and maximum financial and technical support for the poorest and most vulnerable people and countries.” The United Nations system—and its global network of regional, sub-regional and country offices working for peace, human rights, sustainable development and humanitarian action, will support all governments and partners through the response and recovery. To that end, the Secretary-General has established a dedicated COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund to support efforts in low- and middle-income countries. Its approach underpins the reformed UN with a coordinated multi-agency, multi-sectoral response for priority national and local actions to address the socioeconomic impact of the COVID-19 crisis. It will count on the country leadership of Resident Coordinators and UN Country Teams in swiftly supporting and enabling governments in this crisis, and recovery.To view the latest updates, facts and figures, please visit the UN COVID-19 Multi-Partner Trust Fund Portal. To stay up to date with the latest information, please visit: WHO's coronavirus portal WHO's guidance for countries UN's coronavirus portal Latest news on the UN's response Frequently asked questions How to protect yourself Coronavirus situation dashboard Philippines situation reports

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15 August 2022

On 12 August 2022, I witnessed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. administer the oath to the 80 members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) in a ceremony at Malacañang Palace. The United Nations welcomes the President’s prompt appointment of the BTA members, which indicates his prioritization of the peace process and its successful implementation.

The composition of the BTA with newly and re-appointed members is expected to allow for a smooth transition process and continuity of BTA programs, projects, and legislative measures on the one hand, and greater inclusivity representing all the major MILF and MNLF factions and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)’s diverse communities for the first time, reiterating the President’s call for unity. We also welcome the experienced and well-qualified women BTA members.

Following this important milestone, the expected appointment of members to the peace process mechanisms, including the Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB), the Government of the Philippines Peace Panel, the Normalization Joint Taskforces and the Amnesty Commission, will also contribute to the accelerated joint implementation of the political and normalization tracks of the peace agreement. More women appointees here – and there are many qualified and experienced women to choose from – would also contribute to sustainable peacebuilding as the best peacebuilding practice around the world has demonstrated.

As a longstanding partner of the Bangsamoro, the United Nations (UN) and its partners remain committed to continue promoting peace in the Bangsamoro by strengthening the foundations for inclusive institutions, and sustainable development, and respect and protection of human rights.

UN support to BARMM comprises the contribution of more than 10 resource partners, including the UN Peacebuilding Fund, as well as joint work and coordination with the Office of Presidential Advisor on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity which has significantly contributed to the consolidation of peace efforts in the region.

In 2021, the UN system represented by 15 agencies and more than 200 staff members in BARMM provided direct support and technical assistance to relevant government agencies in a wide range of development, peace and state building sectors through projects in Marawi City, Cotabato City, the “SPMS Box,” Butig, Malabang, Lamitan City, Jolo, Bongao, Upi, South Upi, Talayan, among others. The deployment of an Area Coordinator to Cotabato in November 2021 formally established the UN’s Joint UN Coordination Office in BARMM, and will reinforce the UN’s work in the region.

The UN congratulates all the national and local stakeholders who have contributed to this important milestone and looks forward to supporting the joint implementation of the political and normalization tracks of this landmark Bangsamoro peace agreement.

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11 August 2022

UN Philippines chief reviews progress on national plan on child protection and armed conflict

MANILA, 11 August 2022--United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator Gustavo Gonzalez convened a meeting today to review progress of implementation of the Strategic Action Plan between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the UN Country Taskforce on Monitoring and Reporting on Grave Violations against Children (UN-CTFMR) The Strategic Plan to Prevent And Respond to Grave Child Rights Violations In Situations of Armed Conflict was signed on 9 June 2021 by AFP Chief Of Staff, General Cirilito Sobejana, UN Resident Coordinator in the Philippines, Gustavo Gonzales, and UNICEF Representative to the Philippines, Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov, as co-chairs of the UN-CTFMR. Among the accomplishments reported at the meeting were the following: Series of Meetings and Workshops conducted with the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Consultant Publication of Letter Directive No 52, which prescribes the policies, procedures, and guidelines to be followed by all AFP personnel, units, and offices in the handling of Children in Situation of Armed Conflict (CSAC) Different trainings conducted for AFP Senior Officers to update them on the latest in International Humanitarian Law (IHL), as well as to human rights officers in the field to capacitate them on the Anti Terror Act of 2020, the domestic law on IHL, and the recently enacted law known as the Children in Situations of Armed Conflict Law Conduct of advocacy campaign and information dissemination by the AFP Center for Law of Armed Conflict (AFP CLOAC) in 2021 and 2022, and reaching 5,107 persons.

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09 August 2022

Global challenges expose the inadequacy of current education models, says UN Philippines chief

On 8 August 2022, United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator in the Philippines Gustavo Gonzalez convened a meeting of development partners to report on the Transforming Education Summit (TES) and related processes being undertaken in the Philippines. The TES is a global summit being convened by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to elevate education to the top of the global political agenda and to maximize public awareness and engagement. The meeting was participated in by the embassies of the Argentine Republic, Papua New Guinea, Ireland, Australia, Brazil, the U.K., the Czech Republic, the EU, France, Finland, Germany, Israel, Lao PDR, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Russia, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, and Turkey, among others. The World Bank was also represented in the meeting, along with UNICEF representative Oyun Dendevnorov. Gonzalez said that amid global challenges, including climate change, inequalities, the changing nature of work, and the prevalence of violence, it has become clear that prevailing education models are inadequate to equip young people to participate in finding solutions and to contribute to building a better future. Gonzalez reviewed the TES processes that have been undertaken in the Philippines in preparation for the global summit in September 2022, including three national consultations, to be followed by the submission of the Philippines' statement of commitment on 15 August. Gonzalez outlined the following five priority actions from the perspective of the UN: Reopen all pre-schools, schools and learning centers as soon as possible with 5 days a week of in-person classes. Conduct rapid literacy and numeracy assessments nationwide and launch an emergency learning recovery plan targeting foundational and socioemotional skills. Elevate the value of the teaching profession with corresponding investments in increasing compensation, training, benefits, protection, career advancement, and reduction of non-teaching activities. Launch a digital learning national program to provide connectivity to all schools by 2030, devices with learning apps to all students in last-mile schools and rural areas, and digital teaching trainings. Increase budget allocation in the education system to implement the Basic Education Development Plan 2030 and commitments to the Transforming Education Summit, including reaching 6 percent of GDP by 2030 (with yearly increases of 0.5 percentage points); at least 20 percent of the national budget; and increase special education funds share to at least 2 percent for municipalities.

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UN Philippines Resident Coordinator Gustavo Gonzalez (center, speaking) briefs development partners on the Transforming Education Summit

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05 August 2022

UN Philippines chief bats for education transformation to reverse learning losses

MANILA, 5 August 2022--United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator Gustavo Gonzalez addressed today the Stakeholders Convergence, which was organized by the Department of Education as part of a series of meetings being held in the lead-up to the United Nations Transforming Education Summit in New York in September 2022. The Transforming Education Summit is a key initiative by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that brings together global, national and local education stakeholders and actors in inclusive, networked and effective global dialogue on the types of coordinated actions needed to reverse the slide on progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 4 on quality education. The Philippines is one of the Member States that will announce its national commitments to transform education. Mr. Gonzalez's message (as prepared) follows: First of all, I want to congratulate the Department of Education for organizing this consultation in preparation for the Transforming Education Summit.

We are proud, as United Nations, to be part of this process. I am also glad that our leading agencies UNICEF and UNESCO are hand-in-hand supporting the Government of the Philippines.

I know that the results of this consultation will be an important contribution to the position that the Philippines will set at the upcoming Summit in September, in New York.

But beyond the Summit, I hope that the results of this consultation with stakeholders, including children, the youth and their parents, will help put education at the center of the national development agenda.

Education is more than what we see in a classroom.

Education is a universe involving almost all sectors and partners in society.

It is thanks to the education systems that a society handles the present and prepares for the future.

And experience shows that countries that invest the most in education are the ones that best build their future. The future of any nation relies on the quality of its Education.

The COVID-19 pandemic has seriously impacted education systems in many countries around the world.

The closure of schools has sent off alarms of a “global learning crisis”.

And the Philippines is not an exception to this. Many reports have provided evidence of the serious situation of education in the country

Many specialized organizations have also warned that unless action is taken, learning losses may continue to accumulate once children are back in school, endangering future learning.

The preparations for the upcoming Transforming Education Summit are a unique opportunity to share views, positions and ideas on how to rethink education in a changing world.

The Summit will provide a unique opportunity to reinvent education and to revitalize efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 4 by 2030.

Four principles guide the preparations for the Transforming Education Summit:

Number One, it should be country-led.

I am glad to note that national government has taken strong leadership in these consultations. The recent appointment of Vice President Sara Duterte, in her capacity as Secretary of Education, as the National Convenor for the TES reflects government’s commitments with this process.

Number Two, it should be inclusive.

We recognize that it is critical for the voices of the youth, parents, teachers, and all stakeholder groups be reflected in the process. Number Three, it should be youth-inspired.

The UN Secretary General has made special emphasis of the importance of the role of the youth in shaping the Summit, and making sure the Summit itself is prepared with, and for, the youth.

And Number Four, it should build on existing efforts.

From the UN perspective, we are advocating for the following priority actions: Reopen all pre-schools, schools and learning centers as soon as possible with 5 days a week of in-person classes. Conduct rapid literacy and numeracy assessments nationwide and launch an emergency learning recovery plan targeting foundational and socioemotional skills. Elevate the value of the teaching profession with corresponding investments in increasing compensation, training, benefits, protection, career advancement, and reduction of non-teaching activities. Launch a digital learning national program to provide connectivity to all schools by 2030, devices with learning apps to all students in last-mile schools and rural areas, and digital teaching trainings. Increase budget allocation in the education system to implement the Basic Education Development Plan 2030 and commitments to the Transforming Education Summit, including reaching 6 percent of GDP by 2030 (with yearly increases of 0.5 percentage points); at least 20 percent of the national budget; and increase special education funds share to at least 2 percent for municipalities. Your perspective of the future of education and the way education should be transformed is vital to accelerate the Sustainable Development Goals on Education.

I wish you productive discussions ahead.

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04 August 2022

UN welcomes designation of VP and Education Secretary Sara Duterte as national convenor of landmark UN education conference

MANILA, 4 August 2022--The United Nations (UN) Philippines congratulates Vice-President and Secretary of Education Sara Duterte-Carpio for her designation as national convenor of the Transforming Education Summit (TES), which will be convened in New York, the United States, on 19 September 2022 during the 77th UN General Assembly. The TES is being convened by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to elevate education to the top of the global political agenda and to maximize public awareness and engagement. The Summit offers an opportunity for inclusive, networked and effective global dialogue on the types of coordinated actions needed to reverse the slide on progress towards SDG4 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Within this framework, the Government of the Philippines and the UN are actively engaged in the organization of country consultations, leading to the preparation of a solid country statement for the upcoming Summit. In preparation for the Summit, national consultations will be undertaken to develop a shared vision, commitment, and alignment of action across constituencies to transform education between now and 2030. As national convenor, Vice-President Duterte-Carpio will lead the national consultations and ensure that consultations are intersectoral and multisectoral, inclusive and results-oriented. In addition, under the leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator, the UN Country Team (UNCT) will be mobilized to support this process, with UNICEF and UNESCO playing a key role in in-country consultations. UN Resident Coordinator Gustavo Gonzalez said, “I am optimistic that with Vice-President Sara Duterte as national convenor, the Philippines will chart a strategy and roadmap to address the learning losses caused by the pandemic and bring us back on track to achieving the global goals on education.” [Ends]

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Press Release

20 July 2022

UN and humanitarian partners support 1M Odette-affected persons in last six months; recovery work continues till end of 2022

MANILA, 20 July 2022--Six months after Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) left a trail of devastation in 11 of the country’s 17 regions, the United Nations (UN) and humanitarian partners in the Philippines, and in support of the Government-led response, have provided life-saving assistance to over a million people. Since April, following the announcement by the Government of the end of the response phase, the humanitarian community has since been supporting local governments to implement early recovery activities. To mark six months since Typhoon Odette, the UN Philippines launched today the Typhoon Odette Six Months On Photo Exhibition at the Instituto Cervantes in Intramuros. This exhibition, hosted by the Embassy of Spain, the Instituto Cervantes and AECID and coordinated by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on behalf of the Humanitarian Community, seeks to raise awareness of the increase in the occurrence of disasters as a direct impact of climate change and its effects on the development of societies. It will be open to the public until 20 August, to mark World Humanitarian Day on 19 August. UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in the Philippines Gustavo Gonzalez said, “The Humanitarian Community will continue its support to the affected communities to ensure that progress made in the last six months is not rolled back.” Gonzalez cited a recent report of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which stated that damaged houses still number over 2.1 million. The revised Humanitarian Needs and Priorities (HNP) plan which was launched by the Humanitarian Country Team in the Philippines on 2 February committed to provide assistance to 840,000 people in Caraga, Southern Leyte, Cebu and Bohol. Shelter assistance, as one of the main needs, was provided to over 210,000 typhoon-affected households. To date, close to 66,000 families have received kitchen items, sleeping kits, and lighting items. More Shelter Repair Kits and other shelter materials for the rebuilding of homes are needed however. At the same time, over 3,000 people remain displaced in five regions (Regions VI, VII, VIII, MIMAROPA, and Caraga). In order to relocate these internally displaced persons (IDPs), resettlement sites need to be prepared. Gonzalez also noted that in the last six months over 1.2 million people have received livelihood support, particularly for agriculture. Humanitarian partners have started implementing cash-for-work activities in Bohol and Southern Leyte, and this has helped beneficiaries to restart fishing and farming livelihoods. However, restarting agricultural activities is hampered by a number of factors, including the unfinished clearing of debris left by Typhoon Odette, and challenges in operating farming equipment due to oil price increases. Gonzalez said that some 84,000 healthcare workers have been deployed and have served in temporary health facilities. However, health facilities remain semi-functional in many areas, and communities continue to require support to access health services. Close to 46,000 children aged 0-59 months have been screened for acute malnutrition. The quality and coverage of services for the early detection and treatment of life-threatening acute malnutrition in early childhood needs to be improved and prioritized. Earlier, in the response effort, humanitarian partners deployed 562 trucks to deliver relief items. While logistics operations for Typhoon Odette have ended, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) had requested humanitarian organizations to move cargo in response to Tropical Storm Agaton. The goods were moved into areas also affected by Typhoon Odette, including the delivery of Government supplied food, hygiene items, and family/sleeping kits, among others. Gonzalez acknowledged the support of donors such as USAID, the European Union, Japan, the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), Australia, Canada and Spain for enabling the UN and over 260 humanitarian partners to address urgent humanitarian needs and implement early recovery programmes through more than 15,000 activities in food security and nutrition, protection, shelter, WASH, education, health and Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM). At the same time, Gonzalez said that while long-term and sustained recovery will be the focus of support to the Government until the end of the year, the Humanitarian Community will reinforce measures to strengthen preparedness and build resilience against future shocks. “Humanitarian partners will continue to work closely with local authorities to pilot new approaches such as anticipatory action,” Gonzalez said. “As nations continue to address the different impacts of the global pandemic, the reality is several hazards may strike at once. The Philippines has already experienced responding to catastrophes in a COVID-19 crisis scenario and amid difficult access to resources due to the war in Ukraine. This is forcing all of us to change the way operations are being conducted,” he added. Notes to Editors Revised Humanitarian Needs and Priorities (HNP) Plan Latest OCHA Situation Report Anticipatory Action For more information, please contact: Manja Vidic, Head of Office, UN OCHA Philippines vidic@un.org

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Press Release

21 December 2021

PHL, UN and partners endorse roadmap to accelerate implementation of human rights joint programme

MANILA, 20 December 2021—The Philippines-United Nations (UN) Joint Programme on human rights took its first major step today at the Steering Committee meeting of government and civil society partners and participating UN agencies, where they agreed on a roadmap to implement Human Rights Council (HRC) resolution 45/33, adopted on 7 October 2020, which outlined specific areas for capacity-building and technical cooperation for the promotion and protection of human rights in the Philippines. The steering committee meeting today was participated in by Department of Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra, UN Resident Coordinator Gustavo Gonzalez, and representatives of government, UN and civil society partners.

Guevarra said, "The Joint Programme seeks to affirm the commitment of the Philippines to the primacy of human rights, the importance of a free democratic space for civil society, and the principle of international cooperation—key values that the Philippines holds dear as a founding charter member of the UN." UN Resident Coordinator in the Philippines Gustavo Gonzalez said, “Today’s meeting is an important step forward in the implementation of Human Rights Council resolution 45/33. Concrete actions, milestones and tools have been discussed and adopted. Everyone has a role in the joint programme and is accountable for the expected results.”

The human rights joint programme received a boost recently with combined financial support from the governments of Norway and Australia of some Php29 million.

“I thank the Governments of Australia and Norway for their readiness in supporting the Joint Programme. They know that respect for human rights is a core component of sustainable and inclusive development,” Gonzalez said.

"Australia is committed to see this programme succeed and deliver tangible results. We congratulate the Government of the Pilippines for its efforts," said Ambassador Steven Robinson of the Embassy of Australia.

On 22 July 2021, the Philippines and the UN signed the UN Joint Programme Programme on Human Rights. The three-year UN joint programme was developed to implement Human Rights Council (HRC) resolution 45/33, adopted on 7 October 2020, which outlined specific areas for capacity-building and technical cooperation for the promotion and protection of human rights in the Philippines. The joint programme document was signed by Secretary Guevarra, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr.,and Gonzalez, with the late Jose Luis Gascon of the Commission on Human Rights in attendance.

Aside from the DoJ, the UN joint programme is being co-implemented by the Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat (PHRCS), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), the Department of Health (DOH), the Anti-Terrorism Council-Program Management Center (ATC-PMC), the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR). Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) as well as the academe will also be core partners in the implementation of the programme.

UN entities involved in the programme - the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR); United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); the UN Office of Counter Terrorism (UNOCT); and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) – will work with the Government, drawing on expertise and best practices to apply human rights-based approaches in these areas. Gonzalez said, "The UN Joint Programme on Human Rights brings together different actors to find solutions to complex challenges. This is not always an easy task, but these challenges cannot be resolved by trainings and expertise alone. Resolving them requires leadership and courage." "This Joint Programme forges a lasting partnership for the advancement of the principles declared in the 1948 Universal Declaration on Human Rights and Article III of the 1987 Constitution--the Philippines’ own Bill of Rights," said Guevarra.

Through the joint programme, the UN in the Philippines will engage in capacity-building and technical cooperation in six areas, namely, strengthening domestic investigation and accountability mechanisms; data gathering on alleged police violations; civic space and engagement with civil society and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR); national mechanism for reporting and follow-up; counter-terrorism legislation; and human rights-based approaches to drug control. [Ends] For more information, please contact: Signe Poulsen (Ms) UN Philippines Senior Human Rights Adviser Email: signe.poulsen1@un.org

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Press Release

28 June 2021

UN Secretary-General's Message for the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, 26 June

Science and trust in science are the hero and lesson of the pandemic; the world needs both to win against the virus. Scientists delivered safe and effective vaccines in record time. Access to reliable and verifiable information is making the difference between life and death. Action based on evidence is crucial for our responses to drugs, too. The world drug problem remains an urgent challenge that threatens to exacerbate pandemic impacts and hinder a healthy and inclusive recovery. The forthcoming World Drug Report 2021 from the United Office on Drugs and Crime shows that deaths attributed to disorders related to drug use have nearly doubled over the past decade. New HIV infections among adults worldwide have declined in recent years, but not among people who inject drugs, who accounted for 10 per cent of new infections in 2019. International cooperation has helped to limit the proliferation of new psychoactive substances, but the problem is shifting to poorer regions where control systems are weaker. Dark web drug sales continue to rise, and non-medical use of pharmaceuticals, including opioids, is expanding. Drug trafficking and organized crime fuel and perpetuate cycles of violence and conflict. Armed groups and terrorists profit from the illicit drug trade, and the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic has left millions of people even more vulnerable to drug crime and illicit crop cultivation. Disparities in access to essential controlled medicines in low- and middle-income countries have been further heightened in the pandemic. For example, medical professionals in West and Central Africa in 2019 had four doses of pain medication every day for one million inhabitants; in North America, the number of doses was nearly 32,000. Investing in balanced prevention as well as control of drug use and drug use disorders produces solid returns -- saved lives, healthier populations, improved workforce participation and productivity, and reduced criminal justice costs. Many of the risk factors associated with crime and violent behaviour are also drivers of drug use, and targeted efforts focusing on these overlapping dynamics -- including childhood maltreatment and lack of social support -- can help to strengthen prevention. Moreover, research suggests that law enforcement and policing need to go after the criminals at the upper levels of the drug trafficking chain, who reap the highest profits and wreak the greatest violence. Public-private partnerships - with tech companies, postal and courier services, and shipping companies - represent an essential frontline response in the new fight against drug traffickers, who are increasingly exploiting the legal cargo trade and postal services to move their illicit product. Better data is also helping to identify trends and enable real-time monitoring of rapidly shifting trafficking routes. Science-driven early warning systems are helping to predict emerging drug threats. Greater international cooperation and support are needed to help low-income countries to take advantage of these advanced capabilities. The theme of this year’s observance of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, “Share facts on drugs. Save lives” is a call for solidarity. I urge all Member States to listen to the science and take action, building on agreed international frameworks and drawing on United Nations support for health and justice.

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Press Release

18 June 2021

UN Secretary-General's Message for World Refugee Day, 20 June 2021

War, violence and persecution have forced more than 80 million people around the world to flee their homes, leaving everything behind to save themselves and their families. Refugees must begin their lives anew. But for so many, the pandemic has wiped out their livelihoods, led to stigmatization and vilification and exposed them disproportionately to the virus. At the same time, refugees once again demonstrated their invaluable contribution to their adoptive societies as essential and frontline workers. We have a duty to help refugees rebuild their lives. COVID-19 has shown us that we can only succeed if we stand together. On World Refugee Day, I call on communities and governments to include refugees – in health care, education, and sport. We heal together when we all get the care we need. We learn together when we are all given the chance to study. We shine together when we play as a team and respect everyone. On World Refugee Day, I commend the countries that have welcomed refugees. But we need more support – from States, the private sector, communities and individuals – if we are to move together towards a more inclusive future, free of discrimination. The refugees I have met have shown me what it means to rebuild your own life while summoning the strength to enrich the lives of others. As High Commissioner for Refugees for 10 years, I was inspired by their courage, resilience and determination. I thank refugees and displaced persons across the world and reiterate my personal admiration for what they have taught us all about the power of hope and healing. This World Refugee Day and every day, we stand together with refugees.

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