Press Release

Secretary General Outlines UN Response to COVID-19 and Roadmap to Build-back Better

25 June 2020

With many countries still reeling from the health, social and economic fall-out from the COVID-19 pandemic, UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, has launched a comprehensive report that outlines the Agency’s joint efforts to battle the global pandemic, while charting a path to save lives, protect societies and recover better.

Caption: Dr Yitades Gebre, PAHO/WHO Representative to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean (left) presenting personal protective equipment to Lt Col Hon Jeffrey Bostic (right), Minister of Health and Wellness, while Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Kenneth George was present.
Photo: PAHO

The UN Comprehensive Response to COVID-19 outlines actions taken since the pandemic was declared, and also offers a road map for building back better through greater global solidarity and unity.

In addressing a Press Conference to launch the report, the Secretary General said the global crisis had uncovered existing systemic inequalities and vulnerabilities in the world and called for global renewal and more effective multilateralism to confront the challenges of this generation, as well as future generations.

“We cannot go back to the way it was and simply recreate the systems that have aggravated the crisis”, he stressed. “We need to build back better with more sustainable, inclusive, gender-equal societies and economies.”

The Response sets out what we can and must do to:

Deliver a global response that leaves no-one behind
Reduce our vulnerability to future pandemics
Build resilience to future shocks – above all climate change
Overcome the severe and systemic inequalities exposed by the pandemic

It promotes three pillars of operation:

Delivery of a large-scale, coordinated and comprehensive health response
Adoption of policies that address the devastating socioeconomic, humanitarian and human rights aspects of the crisis
A recovery process that builds back better

As part of the response, the UN Secretary-General is also issuing policy briefs to support governments to address the consequences of this crisis. Areas covered include: Food Security and Nutrition; People on the Move; Mental Health; Human Rights; Debt; Socio-Economic Impact and Jobs, with emphasis on vulnerable populations including children, women, older persons and persons with disabilities.

Click to see the policy briefs categorized by themes, population groups and regions.

Carol A. Gaskin

RCO

Programme Communications and Advocacy Officer

carol-ann.gaskin@un.org +1 (246) 467 6110

Carol Gaskin is a seasoned international development professional and strategic communicator, serving as the United Nations Development Coordination Officer for Programme Communications and Advocacy. With a background in journalism and creative writing, Carol brings a diverse skill set to her role.

In her capacity, she leads communication and advocacy efforts for the UN Resident Coordinator's Office, overseeing operations in 10 Eastern Caribbean countries. Additionally, she chairs the UN Communications Group, fostering collaboration among communicators from 18 agencies.

Carol's expertise lies in developing communication strategies aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda. She excels in storytelling, utilizing various channels to amplify the UN's message effectively.

Her achievements include coordinating impactful events such as the "UN in the City" SDG exhibition and spearheading initiatives like the introduction of the Caribbean's first SDG-branded electric bus. Notably, Carol has received recognition for her outstanding work, including the Best Annual Results Report for Latin America and the Caribbean in 2023.

Her work extends to humanitarian efforts, notably providing coverage during natural disasters like the La Soufriere eruption.

With a proven track record of success and dedication to advancing global priorities, Carol A. Gaskin is a respected figure in the field of international development and strategic communication.