COVID-19

Joining Forces: Effective Policy Solutions for COVID-19 Response

ECOSOC Informal Briefing

News | UNHQ, New York | 11 May 2020
Contact(s): newyork@ilo.org

The ECOSOC Informal Briefing “Joining Forces: Effective Policy Solutions for COVID-19 Response“ was convened to discuss policy solutions that countries could use to combat the pandemic, preserve development advances made and get back on track towards the SDGs. It also served as an opportunity for key UN leaders to underscore the importance of a multilateral response to the COVID-19 crisis.

H.E. Ms. Mona Juul, the President of ECOSOC, opened the meeting and highlighted the urgent need for joint policy responses. While the true scope of the socio-economic was unclear, it was concerning that 1.6 billion workers in the informal economy were at an immediate risk of losing their livelihoods. Global poverty was also set to increase, as well as violence against women. In her opening remarks,Ms. Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, underscored that livelihoods globally were dependent on the UN’s support to Governments. The UN Sustainable Development Group had launched the global framework for the immediate socio-economic response to COVID-19, and the UN’s response included coordinated efforts under the leadership of RCs. Countries in special situations and the most vulnerable had to be prioritized. In addition to debt relief and debt restructuring, it was necessary to protect and stimulate the economy, including through cash transfers, especially targeting women. Essential services had to be made accessible to all, including for those who were often excluded from social protection measures.

Ms. Anne-Birgitte Albrectsen, Chief Executive Officer, Plan International, moderated a dialogue on policy solutions for a joint COVID-19 response with the executive heads of the WHO, ILO, FAO, UNCTAD, UNHCHR and ESCAP. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO, outlined the latest developments related to COVID-19 and underscored the need for tailored responses in each country. He raised concerns that the tools to tackle the pandemic were not equally accessible to all.

Mr. Qu Dongyu, Director-General of FAO, raised concerns about global food security, which was being perpetuated by both supply and demand-side challenges. The pandemic had also delivered a significant shock to the global economy. Mr. Guy Ryder, Director General of the ILO, encouraged immediate support to workers and employers and continued investments in social protection. In the second quarter of 2020, the global job loss due to COVID-19 was estimated to be equivalent to nearly 305 million full-time jobs. In contrast, the immediate unemployment during the 2008-2009 financial crisis was around 22 million. He underscored the importance of policies to promote job retention as well as ensuring the safety and health of workers as they returned to work. Particularly concerning was the impact on the informal economy, which accounted for 6 out of 10 workers globally. Workers in the informal economy had lost an average of 60% of their incomes since the start of the pandemic. The toll on informal workers was most prevalent in developing countries where resources and social protection were limited even prior to the pandemic.

COVID-19 had exacerbated pre-existing economic issues. Mr. Mukhisa Kituyi, Secretary-General, UNCTAD, noted that debt and the collapse of exports would have compounding effects on economies. The effectiveness of technology and digital solutions also depended on the solutions for addressing pre-existing inequalities. Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Executive Secretary, ESCAP, added that disaster risk reduction was necessary and highlighted the need for improved investments and mitigation measures, particularly in the context of climate change. It was also paramount to ensure that policies aim to protect the most vulnerable. H.E. Ms. Michelle Bachelet, High Commissioner for Human Rights, OHCHR, affirmed that human rights had to be upheld regardless of the challenges posed by COVID-19.

Member States questioned how the UN reform was unfolding in respect to the UN’s COVID-19 policy responses. Mr. Dongyu reaffirmed the importance of ongoing cooperation across the UN system. Mr. Ryder stated that UN Country Teams had to work coherently and collegiately to deliver effective support to member States. Ms. Salsiah Alisjahbana noted that at the regional level, the UN was working through issue-based coalitions, where agencies served as co-leads. She also underscored the importance of sub-regional cooperation.

In line with the call from the UN Secretary-General, speakers agreed that there was a need for global solidarity in order to find solutions to the pressing socio-economic challenges posed by the pandemic. Mr. Liu Zhenmin, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, UN DESA, , concluded by urging member States to follow the Secretary-General’s initiative. The global response had to remain guided by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, and effective policy responses required political will and joint forces at all levels.