Noting that the pandemic could push up to 115 million people into poverty this year, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Saturday urged the international community to stand in solidarity with all the people living in poverty, during the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond.

The UN chief issued the appeal in a video message to mark the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, observed annually on October 17.

“The Covid-19 pandemic is a double crisis for the world’s poorest people,” said the UN chief.

Extraordinary efforts needed

The UN chief underscored the need for extraordinary efforts to fight poverty at this time.

As the pandemic demands strong collective action, he called for governments to accelerate economic transformation by investing in sustainable recovery.

International Day for Eradication of Poverty

The International Day was established by a UN General Assembly resolution adopted in December 1992.

The theme this year is ‘Acting together to achieve social and environmental justice for all’.