UN chief appeals for 2021 to be 'year of healing'

UN Secretary-General António Guterres used his end of year message to call for 2021 to be “a year of healing” after the "trials, tragedies and tears" of the previous 12 months.

“COVID-19 upended our lives and plunged the world into suffering and grief," Guterres said. He also spoke of the economic consequences of pandemic including increased poverty, hunger and inequality.

However, Guterres said there were "rays of hope" for the new year amid global efforts to combat climate change and the coronavirus pandemic.

"If we work together in unity and solidarity, these rays of hope can reach around the world,” he said.