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World News in Brief: Iran-Pakistan airstrikes, Sudan war crimes probe, AI and healthcare, human rights in global finance

Human rights must be integrated into the heart of the international financial architecture if the world is to achieve sustainable development for all, UN human rights chief Volker Türk said on Thursday in Geneva.

The aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed how the system established 80 years ago has not protected countries from deep economic and financial crisis.

Progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 has also been knocked off course.

Recalling that the UN Secretary-General has repeatedly pushed for reform of the international financial system, Mr. Turk said “infusing the values and protections provided by human rights into this overhaul is critical.”

He outlined areas for action, starting with a “massive injection” of finance to get the SDGs back on track.

Focus should be on providing concessional financing, or loans with much lower interest rates and longer and fairer borrowing terms.

SOURCE UN News Centre