News Source : Reuters
UNITED NATIONS: The US is urging world leaders to send videos instead of traveling to New York next month for an annual high-level gathering at the United Nations, saying it would help prevent it “from being a super-spreader event” amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
The meeting of world leaders for the 76th UN General Assembly, starting Sept 21, is shaping up to be a hybrid event of in-person speeches and video statements as global vaccination rates vary and the spread of Covid-19 variants sparks concern.
“We need your help to prevent UNGA 76 High-Level Week from being a super-spreader event,” the US ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, wrote in an Aug 13 letter to her counterparts in the 193-member world body.
“Heads of delegation should consider delivering their statements to the UN General Assembly’s General Debate by video. If delegations choose to travel to New York … we request delegations bring the minimum number of travellers necessary,” she said.
The US is also calling for all UN-hosted meetings and any side events to be fully virtual.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is planning high-level events during the weeklong gathering on climate change, energy transition and food systems, diplomats said.
“Parallel meetings and high-level events drawing travellers to New York needlessly increases risk to our community, New Yorkers, and other travellers,” Thomas-Greenfield said.
Last year’s gathering had been billed as a celebration of the 75th anniversary of the world body, but leaders instead sent pre-recorded videos or had their New York-based UN ambassadors deliver statements due to Covid-19.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said yesterday that the United Nations was discussing this year’s event with the US and that “things will become a little clearer as the days and weeks proceed”.
