UN adopts Covid response resolution, US votes against
Updated | By AFP
The United States was supported only by Israel Friday in a vote against a UN resolution for a "comprehensive and coordinated response" to the Covid-19 pandemic, a text that included recognition of the WHO's leadership role.
The measure, which has been negotiated since May, was adopted by an overwhelming majority of 169 countries out of 193, with Ukraine and Hungary abstaining.
The text, called an omnibus resolution because it covers multiple aspects of the pandemic, "acknowledges the key leadership role of WHO and the fundamental role of the United Nations system in catalyzing and coordinating the comprehensive global response to the Covid-19 pandemic."
The United States withdrew from the WHO this spring, accusing the body of mismanaging the coronavirus pandemic and delaying launch of a global alert.
ALSO READ: WHO wants world leaders to unite, six months since pandemic call
The text "calls for intensified international cooperation and solidarity to contain, mitigate and overcome the pandemic and its consequences."
And it supports UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' call in March for a ceasefire between countries in order to better facilitate the fight against the pandemic -- a request that has been little followed.
The text additionally calls for "the urgent removal of unjustified obstacles," meaning sanctions, in order to create better access to products used in combatting the virus.
It requests nations to maintain food and agricultural supply chains and encourages synching economic recovery strategies to promote sustainable development and combat climate change.
Ahead of the vote, the United States unsuccessfully attempted to remove a paragraph on protecting women in the area of sexual and reproductive health, over objections about abortion.
Libya and Iraq also voted for the paragraph's removal. However more than 120 countries voted to keep it and 25 countries abstained.
Show's Stories
-
Kids vs parents: Who has the best taste in music?
Breakfast with Martin Bester is getting parents and kids to go head-to-h...
Breakfast with Martin Bester an hour ago -
'7de Laan'-akteur te sien in Hollywood-fliek 'Planet of the Apes'
Die bekende Suid-Afrikaanse akteur vertolk die rol van een van die ape i...
Breakfast with Martin Bester an hour ago