Children at a refugee camp in Dessie, Ethiopia, August 23, 2021. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

In his message, the UN chief said: “vaccine inequality is allowing variants to develop and run wild, condemning the world to millions more deaths, and prolonging an economic slowdown that could cost trillions of dollars.”

He called for an end of this outrage, tackling debt distress and ensuring recovery investment in countries with the greatest need.

Guterres set out a three-pronged approach to global recovery: the recovery must be transformative, inclusive, and sustainable.