COVID-19 : CDP urged to defer 2021 triennial review on LDC graduation (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
The United Nations Committee on Development Policy (CDP) must defer the 2021 triennial review beginning on 22 February for recommending the graduation of the least-developed countries (LDCs) due to the incalculable economic and social crises caused by the worsening COVID-19 pandemic in the LDCs, says the Penang-based Third World Network.

COVID-19 : Pacific Islanders turn to local economies to drive recovery (PRIV)
(IPS, Canberra)
While Pacific Island countries have, so far, been spared a catastrophic spread of COVID-19, their economies have been devastated by the effects of border closures, internal lockdowns and the demise of international tourism and trade.

Yemen : Heads towards worst famine world has seen in decades (PRIV)
(IPS, New York)
Yemen is heading towards the worst famine the world has seen in decades, the United Nations Security Council was warned in a briefing on 18 February.

COVID-19 : Assessing what students missed during school closings (PRIV)
(IPS, Dhaka)
School closings and the varied impacts of remote learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic are a global challenge.