On behalf of more than 90 countries, Chenxu, permanent representative of China to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland, made a joint statement at the 50th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council on the 27th, calling on the international community to pay attention to the protection of economic, social and cultural rights and to respond to the COVID-19 through solidarity and cooperation. The joint statement pointed out that the COVID-19 epidemic has exacerbated the existing socio-economic challenges in various countries, deepened inequality within and between countries, and disproportionately affected vulnerable and marginalized groups. The unfair distribution of novel coronavirus vaccine is even more serious. The world economic recovery is still uneven, and developing countries face challenges in revitalizing the economy, eradicating poverty and improving people's livelihood. The progress made by countries in implementing the sustainable development goals may be reversed. The joint statement said that UN human rights bodies should take necessary actions to promote sustainable, fair and resilient post epidemic recovery. The international community should attach importance to the link between eliminating inequality and enjoying economic, social and cultural rights, pay more attention to the needs of developing countries and the situation of vulnerable and marginalized groups. Only by adhering to multilateralism and through unity, cooperation and collective action can all parties effectively respond to the COVID-19. (Xinhua News Agency)