2020 ECOSOC Forum on Financing for Development ramps up response to COVID-19 – Virtual meeting

WHEN:  10:00 A.M., 23 April 2020

WHERE:  Virtual Meeting (Live on webtv.un.org)

ECOSOC Forum on Financing for Development will hold an informal virtual meeting, at 10 a.m., New York, 23 April 2020

The President of ECOSOC will convene a high-level virtual meeting to advance bold and concerted global action to address the immediate socioeconomic impacts of COVID-19 and finance a quick, inclusive and resilient recovery.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to immense suffering for people across the globe. No nation is being spared by its devastating multi- dimensional impacts. The global health crisis has triggered economic and financial shocks, exposing and exacerbating existing vulnerabilities and inequalities.

Over the past two weeks, the entire UN membership has come together under the ECOSOC Forum on Financing for Development to chart a programme of action to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, restore sustainable growth and put the global economy on a more sustainable path.

The programme of action (also serving as the outcome of the Forum), if adopted, represents the first universally agreed UN set of policies to finance COVID-19 response and recovery. The policy package aims to boost concessional finance for the most vulnerable countries, reduce debt vulnerabilities, facilitate smooth flows of essential goods and supplies, and align the massive relief investment with the 2030 Agenda.

The April 23 meeting, held under the auspices of the FFD Forum, will provide an opportunity to acknowledge these efforts as well as the solidarity and resolve of the entire UN membership in addressing the financing needs due to the COVID-19 crisis.

WHO:

• President of ECOSOC Mona Juul
• UN Secretary–General António Guterres
• UN General Assembly President Tijjani Muhammad-Bande
• Ms. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Board Chair, GAVI
• Ms. Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, Board Chair, Action Aid International
• Mr. Jay Collins, Vice Chairman, Banking, Capital Markets and Advisory, Citigroup

Background:

The FfD Forum, now in its fifth year, is a global platform for policy and action to finance the SDGs, convening Ministers of Finance, Foreign Affairs and Development and Central Bank Governors, along with the heads of UN agencies, the World Bank and the IMF. The Forum has universal participation of 193 UN member states and permanent observers. The Forum’s outcome document contains policies and commitments to finance the SDGs, taking into account the trends and progress in development finance outlined in the latest Financing for Sustainable Development Report.

The COVID-19 Outbreak and Gender:                           Key Advocacy Points from Asia and the Pacific

Authors/editor(s): GiHA WG

Emerging Gender Impacts

• Exacerbated burdens of unpaid care work on women and girls: Where healthcare systems are stretched by efforts to contain outbreaks, care responsibilities are frequently “downloaded” onto women and girls, who usually bear responsibility for caring for ill family members and the elderly. The closure of schools further exacerbates the burden of unpaid care work on women and girls, who absorb the additional work of caring for children.
• Meeting the needs of women healthcare workers: Women constitute 70 per cent of the workers in the health and social sector globally, and are on the frontlines of the response. Within this sector, an average gender pay gap of 28 per cent exists, which may be exacerbated in times of crises. Women healthcare workers have called attention to their specific needs beyond personal protective equipment, including to meet menstrual hygiene needs. Psychosocial support should also be provided to frontline responders.
• and more…

To read the whole article click here

 

Dear friends, As you all know, we are in very challenging times. On behalf of the Australian Human Rights Commission, all our Commissioners and staff, I would like to update you on what we are doing in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We are closely monitoring updated advice provided by health experts and the relevant authorities. Above all, we are still working hard and maintaining our key functions in protecting and promoting human rights, especially for our most vulnerable people. That means we are still available to help you with your concerns and our work will continue, but with some adjustments. To look after our staff and the public we are closing our offices and areas that have been open to the public, until further notice. Our National Information Service phone line and our Complaints function will remain operational. If you have concerns about discrimination or other breaches of human rights, we are ready to assist you. Contact us on 1300 656 419 04 or 02 9284 9600 on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between the hours of 11.30am to 1.30pm AEST or email us at any time on infoservice@humanrights.gov.au. To lodge a complaint, go to https://www.humanrights.gov.au/complaints . Our Commissioners will continue to engage with key stakeholders and communities to uphold and improve human rights. Human rights are as important now, as they ever were. We can all do our part to uphold and respect our rights and the rights of others, and to look after each other. We face this challenge as a community, and we will overcome this challenge if we come together as a community . My very warmest wishes to you all Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM President Australian Human Rights Commission Level 3, 175 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000 GPO Box 5218, Sydney NSW 2001 T +61 2 9284 9600  E communications@humanrights.gov.au  Human rights: everyone, everywhere, everyday