COVID-19 dominates UN resolution for 75th anniversary; calls for reforms

COVID-19 dominated the draft resolution to be presented at the 75th anniversary of United Nation come September when the general assembly meets. The resolution seen by WION lists out 12 commitments with pandemic reminding "us in the most powerful way that we are only as strong as our weakest link"

One of the key commitments is reforming the UN, with the focus being "upgrade" of the New York-headquartered body.

Recalling that "world of today is very different from what it was when the UN was created 75 years ago", the Zero draft resolution or the first draft said, "there are more countries, more people, more challenges but also more solutions" and "we support the ongoing reforms by the secretary-general..they are creating a more agile and effective organization that can deliver in the field and adapt to crisis like the COVID"

The resolution said, "We commit to instil new life in the discussions on the reforms of the security council and continue the work to revitalize the general assembly and strengthen the economic and social council"

UNSC has been found missing on the COVID-19 crisis, and even after more than 5 months when the first case was reported in China's Wuhan the body has not been able to come out with a resolution on the development. A Franco-Tunisian resolution was presented to the core UN body, but due to US-China till and use of language, the draft could not be passed. 

The 75th anniversary UN draft also calls for preparing by learning and sharing experience and information in "order to make our system more resilient" since COVID-19 "caught us off guard". The draft resolution under the commitment to "protect the planet" called COVID "historic opportunity to build back better" and need to "immediately curb greenhouse gas emission".

The commitments include that no one is left behind, protection of plant, ensuring peace and security, abide by international rules and norms, put women at the centre, built trust, promote the use of new technologies for benefit of all, ensure financing and boost partnership.

The co-facilitators for intergovernmental consultations on the resolution's text are Permanent Representative of Qatar Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani & Permanent Representative of Sweden Anna Karin Eneström.