On the 3rd, the United Nations General Assembly held a special meeting on the COVID-19 epidemic at Headquarters in New York. Many dignitaries and high-level representatives participated in the meeting by video.
The 75th President of the General Assembly called for strengthening global cooperation in the fight against the epidemic.
At the opening ceremony, the delegates stood in silence for one minute and observed a moment of silence for those who died due to COVID-19.
In his speech, President Bozkel of the 75th United Nations General Assembly pointed out that the COVID-19 epidemic has not only caused a global public health crisis, but also caused huge impact and damage to economic and social development. The epidemic has caused a further increase in the gap between rich and poor in society. It is also the people who are most vulnerable to their own living conditions. Bozkel said that this is not a time to blame each other, but a time for cooperative efforts. The United Nations will be the most important platform for the global coordinated fight against the epidemic.
Bozker, President of the 75th United Nations General Assembly: This hall is where all countries come together and unite. The structure of the United Nations General Assembly is the embodiment of the voice, will and conscience of mankind. The world looks forward to the leadership of the United Nations and shouldering the burden of addressing the most challenging problems in the world today. The epidemic has allowed us to reshape more courageous solutions to problems and restore trust and confidence in the United Nations.
Bozkel said that giving all people equal access to the vaccines that are about to be put into use is the most important thing at present. Secondly, protecting the most vulnerable countries and populations is also what countries and international financial institutions should do. He called on countries to protect the ecological environment and ensure that similar epidemics do not occur again.
Guterres criticized some countries for ignoring WHO guidelines on epidemic prevention.
United Nations Secretary-General Guterres stressed that countries must work together to fight the epidemic. “As countries work in their own direction, the virus spreads in all directions,” he said. Guterres criticized the fact that some countries excluded the coronavirus pandemic and ignored the World Health Organization’s guidelines on epidemic prevention. He pointed out that although the United Nations has classified the coronavirus vaccine as a public good, there is still a huge gap in global funding. Guterres said that countries should turn the epidemic into an opportunity.
United Nations Secretary-General Guterres: In a global crisis, we must unite and adopt concerted global multilateral action to meet the needs of our people today. I call on you to actively respond to the most urgent needs of the COVID-19 epidemic and save lives together at this special session of the United Nations General Assembly. Build a better future.
After the opening ceremony, the leaders and dignitaries of United Nations Member and Observer States made video speeches on how the United Nations and the World Health Organization can better play a role, control the epidemic and revive the economy, and prevent similar epidemics in the future.
This is the first special session of the United Nations General Assembly on the COVID-19 epidemic, which will last for two days. In addition to statements by leaders, activities such as video discussions will be held.
