UN General Assembly to Decide on Rival COVID-19 Resolutions

A view of an empty Rue de Rivoli in Paris, France, on March 15, 2020. (Getty Images)
A view of an empty Rue de Rivoli in Paris, France, on March 15, 2020. (Getty Images)

How should the UN General Assembly and its 193 member states respond to the coronavirus pandemic? Members received two rival resolutions for consideration; and under new instituted voting rules because the global body isn't holding meetings, if a single country objects a resolution is defeated.

Intensified international cooperation

One resolution, which has more than 135 co-sponsors, calls for "intensified international cooperation to contain, mitigate and defeat the pandemic; including by exchanging information, scientific knowledge and best practices. Besides, applying the relevant guidelines recommended by the World Health Organization."

The other, sponsored by Russia with Central African Republic, Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela, also recognizes the leading role of WHO; however, it calls for abandoning trade wars and implementing protectionist measures. More so, not applying unilateral sanctions without UN Security Council approval.

General Assembly President Tijjani Muhammad-Bande sent both resolutions to all member states late Monday afternoon under a so-called "silence procedure," saying they had 72 hours until 6 pm EDT on Thursday to send an objection, or break silence.

Normally, General Assembly resolutions requires majority votes or by consensus. But in this case, because ambassadors are working from their missions or from home as a result of COVID-19, the new rule calls for silence procedures for all votes, explained The Associated Press.

Under the procedure, if a country supports a resolution, it does nothing. If it opposes a resolution, it sends an email breaking silence, which scuttles a resolution's approval even if it has overwhelming support.

In this case, both resolutions could be adopted or defeated, or one could be adopted and the other defeated.

The resolution calling for international cooperation is sponsored by Ghana, Indonesia, Liechtenstein, Norway, Singapore and Switzerland and has over 130 co-sponsors.

It would also reaffirm the General Assembly's "commitment to international cooperation and multilateralism. Besides, its strong support for the central role of the UN system in the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic."

It would also emphasize the need to respect human rights and oppose "any form of discrimination, racism and xenophobia in the response to the pandemic."

Unprecedented effects

The draft also recognizes "the unprecedented effects of the pandemic; including the severe disruption to societies and economies, as well as to global travel and commerce. Besides, the devastating impact on the livelihood of people," and that "the poorest and most vulnerable are the hardest hit."

Norway's UN Ambassador Mona Juul told AP: "In this moment of great uncertainty and global anxiety caused by COVID-19; it is important for the voice of the United Nations General Assembly – as the universal body of nations – to be loud and clear."

"Our wish is that the assembly urgently send a strong message of unity, solidarity and international cooperation," she said. "People around the world expect no less from the United Nations."

The Russian draft resolution

The Russian draft resolution is a "declaration of solidarity of the United Nations in the face of the challenges the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) poses."

It pledges "to take a comprehensive, science-based approach in elaborating, implementing and improving measures to slow down the transmission of, reverse and eventually defeat COVID-19," following WHO rules and recommendations and supports those people and countries most affected.

"We insist on preventing financial speculations which hinder access for all to essential healthcare services. Besides, quality, safe, effective and affordable essential medicines, vaccines, personal protection and food items," the draft says.

Cooperation in face of the pandemic

"We are to cooperate in addressing the disruptions to international trade and the market uncertainty due to the pandemic. This is to mitigate the damage caused to the global economy by the spread of COVID-19. Besides, promoting economic growth throughout the world, especially in developing countries," the draft says.

Fedor Strzhizhovskiy, spokesman for Russia's UN Mission; said: "We consider the Russian draft declaration to be more result-oriented than the alternative draft declaration that we believe is too general."

"We were also ready to work on merging the two drafts," he said. "However, authors of the other initiative declined such a scenario."

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