Netherlands: We must support WHO to fight pandemic

The Prime Minister of the Netherlands Friday called for enhanced international cooperation and support of The World health Organization during a pre-recorded speech during the United Nations General Assembly.

"If you're really and truly going to defeat this virus," Mark Rutte said, "It starts with supporting the World Health Organization.

Rutte urged countries to give the organization full cooperation which he said has been lacking.

Acknowledging criticism of the W.H.O. but not naming specific countries, the prime minister said The

Netherlands supports enhancing The WHO's powers in order to deal with or prevent any future pandemics.

Rutte stressed the importance of the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court located at The Hague despite "resistance from a small number of countries" to achieve accountability.

"We need to ensure that the U.N.... remains fit for purpose, well equipped and young at heart," Rutte said, "because the new generations who are already making their voices heard must be able to count on a solid global system of multilateral cooperation."