The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has called on the international community to make 2021 “a year of healing”. He made the statement in a video message. His words:
“Together, let’s make peace among ourselves and with nature, tackle the climate crisis, stop the spread of COVID-19 and make 2021 a year of healing.”
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“Healing from the impact of a deadly virus; healing broken economies and societies; healing divisions.
The UN chief noted that 2020 had been “a year of trials, tragedies and tears’’, as the “COVID-19 upended our lives and plunged the world into suffering and grief.”
“So many loved ones have been lost, and the pandemic rages on, creating new waves of sickness and death,’’ he said.
Mr Guterres expressed optimism that “a New Year lies ahead and with it, we see rays of hope.’’
“People extending a helping hand to neighbours and strangers; frontline workers giving their all; scientists developing vaccines in record time and countries making new commitments to prevent climate catastrophe.
“If we work together in unity and solidarity, these rays of hope can reach around the world,’’ he said.
Stressing on the need for unity, the UN chief stated:
“Both climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic are crises that can only be addressed by everyone together, as part of a transition to an inclusive and sustainable future.”
Nelson Okoh