Int’l cooperation only way to defeat COVID-19, climate emergency: UN chief
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Monday that international cooperation may be the only way to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic and the climate emergency.
“International cooperation may be the only way to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic, the climate emergency, rising inequality and the spreading of hatred,” the UN chief told an informal plenary meeting of the UN General Assembly to commemorate US Day, which falls on Oct 24 every year.
“At the moment of such colossal challenge, I welcome the overall Assembly’s declaration of commitment to reinvigorate multilateralism,” said the secretary-general. “I look forward to an inclusive and insightful effort which will strengthen global governance and the way the world responds to current and future challenges.”
Guterres urged the international community to “build on the achievements of the US across its history.”
“And we are able to be inspired by the conversation we conducted this season to mark this milestone, and which took a revealing snapshot of the world in 2020 - and gave voice to the hopes and ideas of people around the world. We gauge the success of the United Nations by the lives we save, the suffering we ease, the peace we build, the opportunities we create, and the rights we protect,” said the secretary-general.
“The ladies and men of the US make an effort to bring that work alive night and day and all over the world,” he added.
The UN chief hailed the spirit of UN personnel, noting the spirit “has fueled us for 75 years, and will guide us through the pandemic and beyond.”
“We won't, ever give up inside our mission and inside our work to fulfil the enduring vision of the Charter,” he said.
US Day is observed on Oct. 24 every year since 1948.
Your day marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter, which is the founding document of this non-partisan institution that has been working toward global peace and equality.
