UNITED NATIONS, September 21. /TASS/. Mankind expects more interaction from governments and international organizations, better access to healthcare, basic social services, hygiene supplies and education, says the "UN75: The future we want, the United Nations we need" research published Monday.
The majority of respondents named "improved access to basic services: healthcare, safe water, sanitation and education" as their immediate priority. The healthcare also turned out to be a long-term priority for almost 300,000 respondents.
"Whilst health appears to be a priority now, it is actually one of the areas that many expect will improve over the next 25 years," the research says, adding that 72% of respondents believe that the access to healthcare will be the same or get better in the future.
The next main priority for the respondents is "greater solidarity and increased support to the places hardest hit by the pandemic," including tackling poverty, inequalities and boosting employment.
The respondents also said they believe that "access to education and women’s rights will improve."
Fears
People of the world fear climate change, corruption, poverty and conflicts the most, according to the study. "Most respondents across all regions are most worried about the future impact of climate change. Our inability to stem the climate crisis and the destruction of the natural environment is respondents’ most overwhelming medium- and long-term concern," the study reads.
According to the poll, 49% of respondents believe that the global environmental situation on the planet will get worse in the future.
Besides the environment, people across the globe most fear worsening of poverty, government corruption, unemployment and violence in the community. In particular, 41% of respondents expect worse corruption situation in the future.
Meanwhile, 87% of respondents believe that "international cooperation is vital to deal with today’s challenges," with the majority believing that the COVID-19 pandemic has made international cooperation even more urgent.
In his speech at the UN General Assembly’s ceremonial meeting, the Organization’s Secretary General Antonio Guterres named fulfillment of people’s wishes an obligation of the UN member states.
People are fearful about the climate crisis, poverty, inequality, corruption and systemic racial and gender discrimination, he said, adding that "they see the UN as a vehicle to make the world a better place. And they count on us to meet today’s tests."
"That responsibility lies above all with Member States," the UN chief underscored, adding that the member states have a duty to "embrace [the UN], nourish it and provide it with the tools to make a difference."
The research included over 1 million people from all over the world via brief one-minute polls. Besides, 50,000 people from 50 nations took part in more detailed interviews. The UN also organized over 1,000 dialogues with representatives of 82 countries; it also analyzed social and mass media in 70 countries. A total of 6,793 Russians participated in the study.