COVID 19 - Role of the UN

COVID 19 has created unprecedented challenges across the globe, with over ten million cases and over 500,000 deaths. The pandemic is still escalating in numbers with some countries experiencing a second phase when countries were declared virus free. The race is on for a vaccine for the virus with millions of dollars being invested in research and at the same time as more millions are being spent on responding to the humanitarian crisis. It is clear that the health crisis has become a humanitarian crisis.

The presentation will explore the lessons learnt in what more could have been done by the UN, has WHO failed in executing its mandate, have other UN agencies stepped up and will there be some changes in the UN system.  

The Speaker

Brian is currently the President ACT Division UNAA. Brian has had over fifty years of experience in the Australian Public Service and International Organisations, working in the UN Secretariat, WHO, UNDP and UNRWA and with many other UN agencies for over fifteen years, including as head of the UN in Libya, setting up UN Women, working directly with five Heads of UN agencies and a previous Secretary General as Senior Adviser in transition teams and change management.

Brian last assignment in the UN was as the Director of Human Resources UNRWA in Amman Jordan and was responsible for the oversight, leadership and management of all human resources policies and practices in Headquarters and the five Field Offices – Gaza, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and the West Bank. UNRWA has over 30,000 national (Area) staff and around 200 international staff.