Major powers in UNSC must put aside differences to adopt COVID-19 resolution: Germany

In an apparent reference to US and China, Germany has said “major powers” in UN Security Council must put aside differences that have so far prevented option of a resolution on COVID-19 pandemic.

Led by Germany, nine of Security Council's 10 n-permanent members h requested a meeting to discuss coronavirus crisis last week. Council met for first time to discuss pandemic on April 9.

Germany’s Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said in a statement on Friday that Council meeting on COVID-19 is “an important step and an encouraging sign. We can only overcome this crisis by acting toger and in solidarity. To do this, we need strong United Nations and a strong Security Council.”

Efforts to discuss coronavirus situation in Council were stalled till w mainly due to stalemate between Washington and Beijing.

Council’s two veto-wielding permanent members have been arguing over origins of virus and how any possible Council statement or resolution should reflect that.

Making an apparent reference to US and China, Maas said, “ major powers in Security Council must also put aside differences that have so far prevented option of a resolution.”

He underscored that Security Council must also fulfil its responsibility in dressing pandemic and its impacts on existing crises and conflicts around world.

Citing situation in Syria and Libya, he said a pandemic like COVID-19 exacerbates existing conflicts and has potential to furr destabilise alrey fragile states and regions.

“It is refore crucial that we, international community, respond to this crisis by working toger.”

Maas also called for Security Council to finally fully endorse Secretary-General's call for a global ceasefire.

“We are working hard, alongside or elected members of Security Council, to make sure this happens,” he said.

Following Council meeting on Thursday, UN Director at International Crisis Group, a n-governmental organisation focussed on preventing conflict, Richard Gowan h told PTI Security Council still seems unable to measure up to scale of COVID-19 crisis.

He said re is a sense that China and US in particular are more keen on scoring political points against one ar in New York than throwing ir united weight behind common action on crisis.

“COVID-19 has laid bare lack of trust among Council members all too acutely,” he said.

“We must hope that big powers grually grasp that such a severe global threat demands a multilateral response.

Most of elected members of Council feel that it is essential to do more. India, preparing for its own stint on council starting next year, should throw its weight behind elected members' efforts to dress this situation,” Gowan said.

Germany, a n-permanent member of Council, will hold Presidency of 15-nation UN arm in July and will use month to help create conditions for Council to track potential impacts of health crises on security early and systematically, Maas said.

Maas also me a reference to criticism of World Health Organisation (WHO), which has come under attack from US President Donald Trump who has said he will put a "very powerful hold” on money it gives to WHO.

German foreign minister said while criticism must be allowed, it should be constructive.

“We currently need more international coordination, t less. WHO has an indispensable role to play in tackling this pandemic,” he said.

aim of international community w must be to strengn and support organisation and ultimately to ensure it is even better equipped to deal with challenges of future, he said, ding, "criticism must always be allowed, but it must be constructive."