Much as we may want to consign 2020 to the dustbin of history, it taught us some vital lessons and it sets the stage for the year ahead. It showed us that a global pandemic is not just a health crisis, but also an economic crisis, an education crisis, an inequality crisis, and so much more. We saw rising food insecurity, growing polarization, and surging mistrust of public institutions and leaders, not to mention a devastating and disproportionate toll on women, girls, and other marginalized communities.

At the same time, we have seen such spirited generosity during this crisis and incredible solidarity across countries, communities, and sectors. This crisis has showed that the world can come together when faced with huge shared challenges. Let’s hope we can do the same for other great challenges that loom ahead.

With COVID-19 still far from behind us, though, we must pay close attention to fault lines it has highlighted and deepened, and that lie ahead. We have decisive choices to make that will determine whether the current system we’ve created, one already under siege, is sustainable going forward.

With that in mind, here are five global issues we think should be prioritized in the year ahead.

  1. Ensuring equity and inclusivity at the heart of all we do
  2. Accelerating progress on the sustainable development goals
  3. Making peace with our planet
  4. Confronting a looming humanitarian catastropheThe UN Foundation's Global Priorities For 2021
  5. Reimagining multilateralism

Read an explanation of these five global issues by Rajesh Mirchandani at United Nations Foundation.