{"id":95634,"date":"2021-02-28T22:07:28","date_gmt":"2021-03-01T03:07:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/sustainabledevelopment\/?page_id=95634"},"modified":"2021-02-28T22:17:09","modified_gmt":"2021-03-01T03:17:09","slug":"goal-of-the-month-february-2021","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/sustainabledevelopment\/goal-of-the-month-february-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"Goal of the Month | February 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to highlight and deepen existing inequalities among and within countries, adversely impacting countries and groups already at greatest risk of being left behind.<\/span><\/p>\n

In this edition of the <\/span>Goal of the Month<\/span><\/a> editorial, we look at the importance of <\/span>Reducing Inequalities<\/span><\/a>, examining some of the most pertinent sustainable development issues of our time – vaccine inequity, climate injustice, social and economic inequalities – as major stumbling blocks in our efforts to recover better.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

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Why Goal 10 Matters<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>

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Infographic<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>

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Table of Contents<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Vaccinated and the Unvaccinated<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Social Justice<\/b><\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Economic Equity<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Environmental Justice<\/b><\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Food Security<\/b><\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Ending Racism, Xenophobia and Discrimination<\/b><\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

other events<\/b><\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>

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The Vaccinated and the Unvaccinated<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>
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\u201cNone of us is safe, until all of us are safe. Yet some countries are reportedly making side deals exclusively for their own populations. Such \u201cvaccinationalism\u201d is not only unfair, it is self-defeating.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u2014 UN Secretary-General\u00a0 <\/span>Ant\u00f3nio Guterres<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

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Today, the world has secured a little over <\/span>10 billion doses<\/span><\/a> of the ten approved COVID-19 vaccines. As of 5 February, the majority of the vaccines were available in just 10 countries that account for almost 60 percent of the global GDP, says the <\/span>World Health Organization<\/span><\/a> (WHO). Around 130 countries, with 2.5 billion people, have yet to administer a single dose. Only one low-income country, <\/span>Guinea<\/span><\/a>, has received doses of the vaccine but has vaccinated about 25 people so far.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cScience is succeeding but solidarity is failing,\u201d <\/span>warned the Secretary-General<\/span><\/a> who has made the response to COVID-19 and the equitable access to vaccines the utmost priority for the 91茄子 in 2021. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

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The COVAX Facility for Equal Access
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The Secretary-General continues to reiterate the importance of the <\/span>COVAX facility<\/span><\/a> – the only international mechanism with the largest vaccine portfolio that was established to ensure the global pooled procurement of vaccines needed for equitable access.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Agreements may already be in place to secure more than two billion doses to cover at least 20 percent of the population of the 190 participating economies, many of them middle and low-income, but COVAX still needs $7.8 billion to procure and deliver the vaccines by the end of the year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe need manufacturers to step up their commitment to work with the <\/span>COVAX facility<\/span><\/a> and countries around the world, in particular the world\u2019s leading economies, to ensure enough supply and fair distribution,\u201d <\/span>added Mr. Guterres.\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Echoing his call, the head of WHO, <\/span>Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus<\/span><\/a> has urged countries to share excess doses \u201conce they have finished vaccinating health workers and older people\u201d and manufacturers to share their data and technology.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

In early February, WHO and partners announced their plans to help governments that have signed up to the COVAX facility prepare their vaccine distribution programmes to protect their most at risk population. Through the facility, countries will receive details on the vaccines they will receive between now and the end of June.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more about <\/span>the status of all vaccines<\/span><\/a> within WHO Emergency use Listing Procedure and the latest agreement between <\/span>COVAX and Pfizer<\/span><\/a> to expedite early availability of vaccines to lower-income countries.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

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#VForVaccinated – A Vaccine Confidence Campaign<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n

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A new global social media mobilization campaign, initiated by UNICEF, is asking people everywhere to be the living proof that vaccines are safe and effective. In January 2021, UN Secretary-General <\/span>Ant\u00f3nio Guterres <\/span>kicked off the campaign<\/span><\/a> after receiving his vaccination at the <\/span>Adlai E. Stevenson High School in New York City Borough of The Bronx.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Holding up a V for Vaccinated sign, he expressed his gratitude \u201cto everyone who has worked to safeguard communities during this pandemic.\u201d He added that now we must get to work \u201cto make sure the vaccine is available to everyone, everywhere.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

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Misinformation Challenges Global Vaccine Efforts<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n

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\u201cLet\u2019s give science the credit that it deserves and the trust that it deserves.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u2014\u00a0<\/em>Melissa Fleming, UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communication<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

The head of Global Communications at the 91茄子, Melissa Fleming<\/a>, recently spoke to the Chief Medical Officer at WebMD about the \u201cpolluted\u201d media environment and the critical role communications plays in tackling vaccine misinformation, and boosting vaccine equity and confidence.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

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Social Justice<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>

Whilst technological innovation can support economic growth, offering new possibilities in fields such as health care, education, communication and productivity, there is also evidence that it can lead to increased wage inequality, and displace workers. Rapid advances and new technology has the potential to eliminate entire categories of jobs but, equally generate new jobs and innovations.<\/span><\/p>\n

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As the 91茄子 marks <\/span>World Day of Social Justice<\/span><\/a> on 20 February, the International Labour Organization will present its latest flagship report – <\/span>World Employment and Social Outlook 2021<\/span><\/a> – which looks at the role of digital labour platforms in transitioning the world of work. Ahead of the launch, on 17 February, the 59th session of the <\/span>UN Commission for Social Development<\/span><\/a> will conclude its work on <\/span>the role of digital technologies in social development and well-being of all, giving particular attention to disadvantaged, marginalized or vulnerable groups and communities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Read the UN Secretary-General\u2019s <\/span>recent report <\/span><\/a>on the issue. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

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Economic Equity<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>

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The latest <\/span>UN World Economic Situation and Prospects<\/span><\/a> report says that massive and timely stimulus measures, amounting to US$12.7 trillion, prevented a total collapse of the world economy and averted a Great Depression. However, stark disparity in the size of the stimulus packages rolled out by developed countries – at nearly 580 times higher than those of least developed countries – and developing countries have put them on different trajectories of recovery.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

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Fair Finance: How can the global inequality gap be narrowed?<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n
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A family from the Hmong ethnic minority in Vietnam. UNICEF\/Truong Viet Hung<\/p><\/div>\n

UN News speaks to Hiro Mizuno<\/a>, the newly-appointed UN Special Envoy on Innovative Finance and Sustainable Investments, about how the financial sector can help to create a fairer, more equitable world.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

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Fair Finance: The women entrepreneurs lifting communities out of poverty<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n
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The 91茄子 Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) is supporting women’s economic empowerment in the world’s 47 Least Developed Countries (LDCs). UNCDF<\/p><\/div>\n

Helping women start and grow businesses in the world\u2019s poorest countries is a path to lifting them and their families out of poverty, the high-profile businesswoman, and new UN Capital Development Fund Goodwill Ambassador Sonia Gardner<\/a>, tells UN News, in the second of the two part series on Fair Finance.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

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Environmental Justice<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>

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Poor and marginalized communities are among those worst impacted by environmental harms such as climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution that threaten full and effective enjoyment of all human rights, <\/span>warn<\/span><\/a> the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and Human Rights Office.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

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Ahead of the annual <\/span>UN Environment Assembly<\/span><\/a> – when the world\u2019s highest-level decision-making body on the environment meets – from 22 to 23 February, we look at <\/span>how many communities<\/span><\/a> at the forefront of climate change, enduring extreme weather, rising sea levels, and pollution, <\/span>are seeking justice through litigation. Ahead of the Assembly, UNEP will release its first synthesis report on <\/span>Making Peace with Nature<\/span><\/a> – a scientific blueprint to tackle the world\u2019s climate, biodiversity and pollution emergencies. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

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In battle against climate change, courts become a new frontier<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n

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UNEP\u2019s new report on<\/span> Global Climate Litigation<\/span><\/a> finds that legal cases against climate change, including from children and indigenous groups, have nearly doubled over the last three years and are increasingly compelling governments and companies to implement their climate commitments, as well as pursue more ambitious climate change mitigation and adaptation goals. Read the story to learn more about the rising trend of climate litigation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more about UNEP\u2019s <\/span>Six Sector Solution to Climate Change<\/span><\/a> – a guide that looks at the challenges and opportunities for climate action in the sectors such as energy, agriculture and transportation. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

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Food Security<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>

According to the <\/span>Food and Agriculture Organization<\/span><\/a>, an estimated one third of all food produced globally is lost or goes to waste. This is equal to around 1 .3 billion tons per year. Yet, communities across the world continue to face a food security crisis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Over 690 million people worldwide experience hunger on a daily basis. This has only been exacerbated by the impacts of COVID-19, which threatens to double the number of people facing acute food insecurity.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ahead of the <\/span>2021 Food Systems Summit<\/span><\/a>, the UN Secretary-General\u2019s Special Envoy for the Summit, Agnes Kalibata, looks at how the <\/span>COVID-19 pandemic has exposed our failing food systems<\/span><\/a>, especially in places where inequality is most prevalent. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

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We must give women a chance to build back a better food system<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n

Farmer attends to her papaya crop. USDA\/Flickr<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cAddressing gender inequity must be central to the response to food insecurity,\u201d says Special Envoy <\/span>Agnes Kalibata, highlighting the fact that although the agricultural workforce is mostly made up of women, existing institutional biases often prevent them from having access to land rights, financing tools and training opportunities, holding them back from employment and leadership.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Read<\/a> her opinion piece on why bolstering women\u2019s role in the food system and supporting them as change agents can have broad and lasting benefits for our communities and environment.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

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Ending Racism, Xenophobia and Discrimination<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>

Where human rights were weak, the pandemic has made them weaker, says the <\/span>UN Human Rights Office<\/span><\/a>, pointing out that COVID-19 did not invent or redraw society\u2019s fault lines, it merely laid them bare for all to see.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe pandemic clearly demonstrates that respect for human rights is beneficial to everyone. Universal health care, universal social protections, and the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly \u2013 online and offline \u2013 contribute to protecting our well-being, and promoting our shared interests,\u201d stressed <\/span>UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet.\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Here is a list of forthcoming human rights events:<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

18 February | <\/strong>Reimagining Equality: Eliminating Racism, Xenophobia and Discrimination for all in the Decade of Action for the Sustainable Development Goals<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>
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Global leaders will meet to <\/span>address the links between structural racism, inequalities and the Sustainable Development Goals. This year also marks the 20th anniversary of the <\/span>2001 UN World Conference<\/span><\/a> against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, held in Durban, South Africa.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

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22 February to 23 March |\u00a0<\/b><\/strong>46th Session of the <\/b>Human Rights Council<\/b><\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>
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The month-long annual session of the Human Rights Council meets to address an array of human rights concerns and policies as well as to review the status of human rights across the globe. Panel discussions are expected to focus on the question of the death penalty, poverty alleviation, the rights of children and persons with disabilities as well as the ongoing <\/span>International Decade for People of African Descent.<\/span><\/a>\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

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21 March |\u00a0<\/b>International Day for the <\/b>Elimination of Racial Discrimination<\/b><\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>
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Established to remember the tragic massacre in Sharpeville, South Africa, when nearly 70 people were killed when police deliberately opened fire during a peaceful demonstration against apartheid \u201cpass laws\u201d in 1960, the <\/span>International Day calls for solidarity with people who have and\/or are still struggling against racism and racial discrimination globally. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

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Other Events<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>

In the coming weeks, the 91茄子 will commemorate the invaluable role women play in our efforts to cope and recover from the devastating effects of the pandemic, as leaders in science and politics. Look out for the events below ahead of March\u2019s Goal of the Month editorial which will focus on Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

11 February | International Day of Women and Girls in Science<\/b><\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>
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Recent months have clearly demonstrated the critical role of women researchers in different stages of the fight against COVID-19, from advancing the knowledge on the virus to developing techniques for testing and developing vaccines against the virus.<\/span><\/p>\n

The international community will mark the International Day of Women and Girls in Science under the <\/span>theme, \u201c<\/span>Women Scientists at the Forefront of the Fight against COVID-19<\/span><\/a>,\u201d and at <\/span>an event<\/span><\/a> featuring female scientists from around the world.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

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8 March | International Women\u2019s Day<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>
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According to <\/span>UN Women<\/span><\/a>, the majority of countries that have been more successful in stemming the tide of the COVID-19 pandemic and responding to its health and broader socio-economic impacts, including Denmark, Ethiopia, New Zealand and Slovakia, are headed by women.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This forthcoming <\/span>International Women\u2019s Day<\/span><\/a>, UN Women will celebrate \u201cWomen in Leadership\u201d and their efforts to achieve an equal future in a COVID-19 world.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

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