– As delivered –
Statement by H.E. Tijjani Muhammad Bande, President of the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
24 April 2020
Honorable Kevin Rudd
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
I thank IPI for organising this important conversation, even at a time the world is facing an unprecedented threat from the rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic. My sincere condolences to those who have lost loved ones, and I wish those suffering from the disease a quick recovery. I am grateful to healthcare workers and those on the frontlines combatting this disease, thereby keeping our communities safe and healthy.
I commend Member States, World Health Organisation (WHO), Civil Society Organisations and the Private Sector, for providing vital support and services in the fight to defeat the pandemic. In the face of mounting challenges, we are reminded of the indispensability of the United Nations, which has from the outset of this global challenge coordinated the global response. We must, thus, continue to support the WHO to overcome this challenge and prevent future pandemics.
As we commemorate the 2nd International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace, we must stay true to the founding ideals of our Organisation and continue to work, within the framework of the UN Charter, for international peace and security, the rule of law, justice and sustainable development, particularly in the most difficult of times.
The primary responsibility of the UN is the maintenance of International Peace and Security. Unfortunately, in the midst of the ongoing crisis, there are too many countries experiencing protracted violent armed conflicts. I call on all countries, and parties to conflict, to support the Secretary-General’s call for a global ceasefire and to strengthen international coordination to create conditions for dialogue and ensure access to food and essential health supplies to those in need during this trying period.
COVID-19 has disrupted billions of lives with far-reaching effects on the health and livelihoods of people. Already, the International Monetary Fund has forecasted a global recession. The International Labour Organization projects that workers will lose as much as 3.4 trillion US Dollars in income by the end of 2020. Global health systems are under enormous stress and global travel has been severely impacted. States, corporations and families are already counting losses that could only be imagined in a state of war. Developing countries will be hardest hit by the ongoing health and economic crisis.
Also, this crisis comes as we embark on the Decade of Action and Delivery to implement the Sustainable Development Goals. We risk losing the gains made in achieving the SGDs.
Now, more than ever, we must remain steadfast in achieving the SDGs by following through on our commitments under the Addis Ababa Action Agenda for Financing for Development to build resilience and prevent inequalities from deepening.
We must safeguard those most vulnerable, those who are often marginalized, children, the elderly and people with disabilities and, in particular, women who are disproportionately affected.
We must galvanise multilateral action now to build resilient health systems; protect gains made in the eradication of poverty and zero hunger, and ensure we uphold our commitment to leave no one behind.
We must also implement a structured response to mitigate the disruption in education, as 188 countries have mandated school closures, affecting more than 1.5 billion youth and children; with many lacking the connectivity required to continue education through ICT-based distance learning.
The founders of the United Nations chose hope over cynicism, empathy over indifference and partnership over distrust. In this 75th year of our Organisation, we must remain true to these ideals. Just as we have overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges in the past, we will also overcome this together.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Combating COVID-19 is a collective responsibility. Together, we must fight stigma, discrimination and xenophobia and halt the spread of fear and hate. Individual actions have a direct impact on protecting lives and ending the pandemic. I urge everyone to follow the advice of the World Health Organisation. We must adhere to social distancing, wash our hands and look out for one another. That is how we show solidarity and uphold multilateralism. I call on Member States and all those that have the capacity to financially support the UN’s COVID-19 Global Humanitarian Response plan to do so.
The founders of the United Nations chose hope over cynicism, empathy over indifference and partnership over distrust. In this 75th year of our Organisation, we must remain true to these ideals. Just as we have overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges in the past, we will also overcome this together.
I thank you
