UN Secretary General calls for commitment to recovery for all by 2022

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said today that the world is welcoming 2022 by challenging hopes for the future and called for a commitment to the recovery of the entire planet, in a New Year’s message that is published in its entirety:

Secretary General’s New Year’s Message

The world welcomes 2022 by testing our hopes for the future.

For growing poverty and increasing inequality.

By the unequal distribution of COVID vaccines.

By the inadequacy of climate commitments.

And by the continuation of conflict, division and misinformation.

These are not merely political tests.

They are moral and real-life tests.

And they are tests that mankind can overcome, if we commit to making 2022 a year of recovery for the whole world.

Pandemic recovery, with a courageous plan to vaccinate everyone, everywhere.

Recovery of our economies, with richer countries supporting the developing world with financing and investment and debt relief.

Recovery from distrust and division, with a new focus on science, facts and reason.

Recovery from conflict, with a renewed spirit of dialogue, compromise and reconciliation.

And recovery of our planet, with climate commitments that are equal to the magnitude and urgency of the crisis.

Times of great difficulty also offer great opportunities.

To unite in solidarity.

To unite around solutions that can benefit all people.

And to move forward – together – with hope for what our human family can achieve.

Together, let’s make our purpose for 2022 be recovery.

For people, planet and prosperity.

I wish you all a New Year full of peace and happiness.