United Nations: The General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) opens its 75th session today, chaired by the Turkish diplomat, Volkan Bozkir, and marked by the Covid-19 pandemic that affects the whole world, Prensa Latina publishes.
According to Bozkir, a key issue during his year at the helm of the largest United Nations body will be the protection of vulnerable people and communities.
He also referred to the official UN news site that there are many challenges posed by the pandemic.
“Covid-19 has become an overwhelming priority at this time, which is why I decided to adapt the theme of the 75th session?, he commented.
The member states had chosen ‘The future we want, the United Nations we need: reaffirming our collective commitment to multilateralism’, adding to this ‘tackling Covid-19 through effective multilateral action’.
Currently, the pandemic is testing our institutions like never before and we have a duty to take effective action globally to overcome the new coronavirus and the havoc it causes in economies and societies, he said.
Bozkir said that Covid-19 is a global crisis like the world has not known since the UN was created, from the ashes of World War II.
‘It is not just a health crisis, but a social and economic crisis that has exacerbated the existing challenges that the Organization seeks to overcome through the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.’
For the first time in its history, the general debate of the Assembly next week will be held virtually, without the presence of hundreds of high-ranking dignitaries and other delegations at the headquarters in New York, due to restrictions in the face of the Covid pandemic. 19.
Many countries keep their borders closed and there are numerous flight limitations, in order to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, which is why it would be extremely complex and risky to bring together high-ranking dignitaries from around the world at the UN headquarters.
In addition, for months the United States has remained the country with the highest number of Covid-19 cases in the world, and projections indicate that this upward trend will persist.
For this reason, the General Assembly decided that each United Nations member state, observer state, and organizations such as the European Union must present a pre-recorded video for the general debate, which will be delivered by a high-level official.
The material will be broadcast in the hall of the largest United Nations body and also via digital during the dates of the high-level meeting, at the end of this month.
But the room will not be empty, as the videos will be presented by a diplomat from each state, who will be physically present.
‘However, any world leader has the right to appear in person to deliver his keynote address, an opportunity that at least one president seeking reelection this year is reported to be considering over?, the official news website of the ONU says.
Other high-level events scheduled will also use virtual platforms for their development, including a commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the United Nations.