United Nations Approves Coronavirus Resolution

World

April 21st, 5:10am

Asharq Al-Awsat

People wear face masks at Shinagawa station during rush hour after the government expanded a state of emergency to include the entire country over the coronavirus outbreak, in Tokyo, Japan. (Reuters)

The United Nations General Assembly approved a resolution calling for global action to rapidly scale up development, manufacturing and access to medicine, vaccines and medical equipment to confront the coronavirus pandemic. The Mexican-drafted resolution requests Secretary-General Antonio Guterres work with the World Health Organization and recommend options to ensure timely and equitable access to testing, medical supplies, drugs and future coronavirus vaccines for all in need, especially in developing countries. It reaffirms the fundamental role of the United Nations system in coordinating the global response to control and contain the spread of COVID-19 and in supporting the 193 U.N. member states, “and in this regard acknowledges the crucial leading role played by the World Health Organization.” General Assembly President Tijjani Muhammad-Bande sent a letter to the 193 UN member states Monday night saying there were no objections to the resolution and it was therefore adopted. It is the second resolution on COVID-19 approved by the world body. On April 2, the General Assembly approved a resolution recognizing “the unprecedented effects” of the pandemic and calling for “intensified international cooperation to contain, mitigate and defeat” the virus.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2244476/united-nations-approves-coronavirus-resolution