Biden, UN chief discuss strengthening partnership on Covid, climate change

US President-elect Joe Biden and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres have discussed the need for a “strengthened partnership” between Washington and the world organisation to address many urgent global issues, including the Covid-19 pandemic, climate change and upholding peace and security.

Biden spoke with Guterres over the phone on Monday and according to a readout of the call, the president-elect thanked Guterres for his congratulations on winning the US presidential election.

“They discussed the need for a strengthened partnership between the United States and the United Nations on urgent global issues, including combatting Covid-19 and building resilience to future public health challenges, confronting the threat of climate change, addressing humanitarian need, advancing sustainable development, upholding peace and security and resolving conflicts; and promoting democracy and human rights,” the readout issued by the Biden-Harris Transition team said.