UN’s Priorities for 2022
Written by: Mako Mori
The UN Secretary-General António Guterres spoke to the General Assembly on January 21, 2022, urging countries to unite towards a more equal and hopeful world. Mr. Guterres laid out the five UN priorities for 2022, calling it a “five-alarm global fire.” He urged Member states to act now and go into emergency mode surrounding the five action areas: Combating COVID-19, Transforming the Global Financial System, Take Urgent Climate Action, Put People First in the Digital World and Building Sustainable Peace.
The Secretary-General spoke first and foremost, about preventing the spread of the coronavirus. He raised his concern for the inequalities that have become more and more prevalent with the unequal distribution of vaccines and support.
On the second alarm, Mr. Guterres expressed his concern about the failure of the global financial system. He highlighted specific examples of especially in middle-income nations, debt relief is denied, despite the rising poverty levels. This negatively affects women’s empowerment, as most of the world’s poorest consist of women and girls.
The Secretary-General called for action on the climate crisis, as the world is far off track in limiting the temperature rise, as promised in the Paris Agreement. It was reported that in 2020, “climate shocks forced 30 million people to flee their homes -- three times more than those displaced by war and violence.” He called to look to young people as a source of inspiration, as many, including WFWPI, are committed to the climate crisis as an urgent priority.
Alarm four was on the topic of technology and cyberspace, and the UN chief pointed to the reality in which women lack internet access far more than men. But Mr. Guterres highlighted the hopeful fact that “simply connecting schools (with low connectivity) to the internet can grow GDP by 20 percent.” Therefore, the Secretary-General proposed a Global Digital Compact as an initiative to foster global digital cooperation.
Finally, Mr. Guterres shared how in this time, records indicate the “highest number of violent conflicts since 1945.” He reassured the public that the UN stands for peace and “conflict reoslution is at the heart of the proposed New Agenda for Peace.” The Secretary-General spoke of how the UN is stepping up the push for peace around the world. In Afghanistan, for example, the goal is to support women and girls, fight terrorism, while ensuring respect of international law. The Secretary-General closed by reaffirming women’s key role in the peacemaking and decision-making processes.
As the roadmap to a more hopeful future is outlined, WFWPI, would once again like to align our efforts to the UN’s priorities, especially their focus on climate action and women’s peace and security. The climate crisis is a global concern, and although it is easily ridden with fear, it is also an opportunity for collaboration and solidarity. We have seen this first hand, through the Giving for Good Climate Action Projects in 11 countries around the world. Each need in the community is unique and women have been at the forefront of taking care of their families and communities. It is truly empowering to see women bringing people together to fight for a cause greater than themselves. The Climate Action projects have brought a sense of oneness and partnership as a global family. We hope to continue empowering women while healing the Earth, together with the UN.
