Marking the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, Guterres pointed out that nearly 700 million people are living on less than $2.15 per day and over a billion don’t have access to basic needs like food, water, health care and education.

Billions more lack sanitation and access to energy, jobs, housing and social safety nets, he added.

Distress is being deepened by conflicts, the climate crisis, discrimination and exclusion - particularly against women and girls, the UN chief said.

According to Guterres, an outdated and unfair global financial system will lead to almost 500 million people living in extreme poverty in 2030, which he stressed was simply unacceptable.

”Ending poverty is the challenge of our time. But it is a challenge we can win,” he said.