Alexander Mejia, Editor-in-chief

The 2019 Coronavirus disease (COVID‑19) pandemic has affected the way we work at the United Nations in Geneva in ways that we could not have conceived when this all began. Switzerland is in state of emergency, Geneva is in lock down mode, and almost all of us are working from home. The Palais des Nations is closed to delegates and the public indefinitely, something that has not happened since World War II. This pandemic has surpassed all neg‑ ative expectations and is affecting the work of the UN around the world, diminishing our abilities to help the most vulnerable and disadvantaged. Still, we carry on, remaining productive, optimistic and united in our common efforts to defeat this health crisis.

This edition of UN Today is digital for obvious reasons, and as far as we can foresee, the upcoming editions will be as well. I say that in a positive manner, as I believe this will bring us closer to you, our readers and supporters. If something has been an unexpected and satisfactory side of this global health crises, is our newfound skills to do things digital and to connect virtually with our personal networks and to our enhanced professional community. In that light, this virtual UN Today should serve to maintain a window into our beloved Palais des Nations and a bridge to the UN family as a whole.

In addition to the Coronavirus coverage, you will find in this edition, among other topics, a pictorial of the Long Service Awards ceremony and interviews with the UN Resident Coordinator in Zambia, with the Under-Secretary-General for General Assembly and Conference Management, and with the new Permanent Observer of the International Or‑ ganization of la Francophonie to the United Nations Office at Geneva.

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