SC Statement at OHCHR Workshop on COVID-19 & Inequalities, 7 February 2023

Written Statement at the Workshop on Promoting and protecting economic, social and cultural rights within the context of addressing inequalities in the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic

Measurement and elimination of global poverty and inequalities

Carlos Correa, Executive Director, South Centre

7 February 2023

Organized by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)

Human Rights Council Resolution 49/19 clearly recognises the severe effects that the COVID-19 pandemic has in exacerbating existing inequalities, the increase of global poverty and the disproportional burden that vulnerable and marginalized communities are suffering. It also calls for enhanced international solidarity in the COVID-19 response and recovery, including joint and concerted responses and recovery efforts that are people-centred, gender-sensitive, inclusive and with full respect for human rights.

For this session, we have the challenging task of discussing how we traditionally measure poverty, and what is necessary to better align this measurement with the drastic effects of poverty in real life, beyond measurements and numbers, and consider its effects on an adequate standard of living and for the full enjoyment of human rights.

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Measurement and elimination of global poverty and inequalities