(CMC) \u2014 United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed has reminded global finance ministers of their duty to help Caribbean and other countries emerge from the social and economic chaos brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n
Mohammed made the appeal as she addressed ministers from UN member-states and representatives from international institutions during a virtual meeting to solidify a menu of policy options for post-pandemic recovery and beyond, which will be presented to world leaders later during a special UN meeting later this month.<\/p>\n
The meeting on \u201cFinancing for Development in the Era of COVID-19 and Beyond\u201d was the initiative of the UN secretary-general and the prime ministers of Jamaica, Andrew Holness; and Canada, Justin Trudeau. It was launched in May and the UN said the aim is to present what the organisers described as \u201ca single ambitious menu of policy options\u201d to address recovery in the short term but also to mobilise the resources needed to achieve the UN\u2019s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, and to create a resilient global financial system over the long term.<\/p>\n
Jamaica\u2019s Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr Nigel Clarke, said Tuesday\u2019s meeting was an opportunity to \u201cact with dispatch\u201d and \u201cto scale up measures that have already been implemented\u201d.<\/p>\n
Although the crisis has affected everyone, Mohammed said the consequences will be worse for the world\u2019s most vulnerable citizens.<\/p>\n
\u201cBetween 70 to 100 million people could be pushed into extreme poverty; an additional 265 million people could face acute food shortages by the end of this year, and an estimated 400 million jobs have been lost: disproportionately, of course, affecting women,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Moreover, \u201csome 1.6 billion learners have had their studies disrupted and may never return to school,\u201d she said adding that \u201cfinding immediate and lasting solutions is our responsibility\u201d.<\/p>\n
Canada\u2019s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Chrystia Freeland, said \u201cthis crisis has hit women and young people particularly hard, and our response must take that into account\u201d.<\/p>\n
Over the past three months, the UN said ministers formed six discussion groups to address issues critical for economic survival and recovery, with the imperative of building back better.<\/p>\n
The UN said the challenge is immense, citing World Health Organization (WHO) data that shows, globally, more than 27 million cases of COVID-19 and nearly 892,000 deaths.<\/p>\n
The UN further estimates that the world\u2019s gross domestic product will suffer a nearly five per cent drop this year, while foreign direct investment and remittances are set to decrease by\u202f40 per cent and\u202f20 per cent, respectively.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith lockdown measures continuing, borders closed, debt skyrocketing and fiscal resources plunging, the pandemic is pushing us towards the worst recession in decades, possibly even a depression, with terrible consequences for the most vulnerable,\u201d Mohammed said.<\/p>\n
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) reported that although some advanced economies are doing \u201csomewhat less bad\u201d at the moment, due to strong policy response by their finance authorities and Central Banks, most emerging markets are still in trouble, including those which rely on tourism revenues or that have high debt levels.<\/p>\n
IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva emphasised the need for greater social investment as an important lesson from the pandemic.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to recognise that this crisis is telling us we have to build resilience for the future by investing in education and digital capacity everywhere, in human capital, the health systems, the social protection systems in countries, by making sure that the other crises in front of us, like the climate crisis, are well-integrated,\u201d she said<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd last, but technically not least, by preventing inequalities and poverty raising their ugly heads again,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
The UN said the discussions sought to further refine policy that will be presented to Heads of State and Government at a UN meeting on September 29.<\/p>\n
Noting that \u201cthe world is yet to show the unity and solidarity required for a global response to a crisis unparalleled in recent history,\u201d Mohammed urged finance ministers to take action amid the current uncertainties.<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope you will join us in seizing this initiative to consolidate a menu of options to support your work for the immediate economic relief people need, a people\u2019s vaccine for COVID-19, and to tackle the deep injustices, inequalities and governance challenges, while we stand ready together to rethink a global financial system that works for these unprecedented times,\u201d she urged.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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