In its report, the United Nations is calling for globally coordinated response to the coronavirus outbreak. In this context, the UN recommends resolute and rapid measures to prevent the spread of the disease, strengthen the resilience of health systems, provide immediate assistance to developing countries with weaker healthcare systems, remove barriers and allow access to scientific research on vaccines, and to support innovation and financial assistance mechanisms. The UN foresees a serious impact of COVID-19 on the global economy, as well as on the efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goals. It also asks that actions taken at national levels do not counteract those taken on regional or global levels.

The new UN Secretary-General’s Fund was initiated by Norway. It is a multi-partner trust fund to support medium and low-income program countries to address the impacts of the coronavirus outbreak. This fund plans to mobilize 2 billion U.S. dollars. A variety of donors can contribute to the fund. This fund complements other financial instruments of WHO and OCHA. Its main purpose is to provide the necessary assistance to developing countries in addressing their short-term needs.