As public fear and uncertainty grow around the COVID-19 pandemic, "more than ever before, we need solidarity, hope and the political will to see this crisis through together," he said.

Unlike any global health crisis in the 75-year history of the United Nations, the coronavirus pandemic is "spreading human suffering, infecting the global economy and upending people’s lives", he added.

Calling for global solidarity, Mr. Guterres said: "Our human family is stressed, and the social fabric is being torn. People are suffering, sick and scared".

And as country-level responses cannot single-handedly address the global scale and complexity of the crisis, he maintained that "coordinated, decisive and innovative policy action" is needed from the world’s leading economies.  

Mr. Guterres said that he looks forward to participating in the G20 leaders’ emergency summit next week to respond to the pandemic’s "epic challenge".

ILKHA