Hailing WHO, India backs UN’s Covid-19 resolution

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 12

India voted with 168 nations in favour of a multifaceted Covid resolution in the UN General Assembly that was opposed by the US and Israel.

The resolution, coordinated by Afghanistan and Croatia, was the third on the pandemic adopted by the UNGA and the most omnibus since it encompassed many aspects, including reaffirming international cooperation to respond to one of the greatest global challenges.

It also acknowledged the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) key leadership role in responding to the outbreak. This was vehemently opposed by the US in its explanation of vote which said the WHO had delayed its response leading to the world-wide spread of the pandemic.

Reaffirm Commitment

India reaffirms its commitment to international cooperation, multilateralism and solidarity. That is the only way for the world to effectively respond to global crises. —K Nagaraj Naidu, India’s Dy permanent representative, UN

The resolution supported UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ appeal for an immediate global ceasefire that would also help “create corridors for life-saving aid, open windows for the diplomacy of dialogue’’.

“The Omnibus Resolution on Comprehensive and Coordinated Response to the Covid Pandemic’’ asked all countries to have unhindered timely access to essential health technologies and recognised the role of extensive immunisation against Covid as a global public good.

WHO failed the world

Not only did they (WHO) fail the world, but its failures in the early days of the pandemic also contributed to needless suffering and the worsening of this pandemic. —United States

Backing the resolution, India noted that it reaffirmed its commitment to international cooperation, multilateralism and solidarity at all levels. “That is the only way for the world to effectively respond to global crises,’’ said K Nagaraj Naidu, India’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN.

He noted the resolution acknowledges the WHO’s leadership role and the UN’s fundamental role in catalysing and coordinating the comprehensive global response to the pandemic.

In a stinging critique of the WHO, the US said, “Not only did they fail the world, but its failures in the early days of the pandemic also contributed to needless suffering and the worsening of this pandemic.”