In the present report, prepared pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 46/10, the Secretary-General provides an overview of the continuing impacts of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on economic, social and cultural rights and outlines key elements of a human rights-based approach towards building and financing inclusive public policies and services, with particular emphasis on social protection. The Secretary-General concludes with recommendations for establishing human rights-based social protection systems in order to operationalize his call for a renewed social contract underpinned by a global new deal in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic recovery.