UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, on Monday, called for added efforts to renew the commitment to better the world for everyone.

Mr Guterres made the plea in a message on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, which falls on October 17 annually.

The UN secretary-general said this year’s “dignity for all in practice” theme must be “a rallying cry” for urgent global action, noting that inequalities are widening, national and household economies battered by job losses, skyrocketing food and energy prices and the gathering shadows of a global recession.

“At the same time, the climate crisis and raging conflicts are causing immense suffering, with the poorest people bearing the brunt,” he said.

Speaking of the status quo of the sustainable development goals, he said that they “are being pushed far out of reach.”

He called for actions to invest in people-centred solutions, saying that efforts must be taken to support developing countries as they transition from planet-killing fossil fuels to renewable energy and job-creating green economies.

(Xinhua/NAN)