Recent breakthroughs on Covid-19 vaccines offer ray of hope: UN chief Guterres

UNITED NATIONS, Nov 21: UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has described the recent breakthroughs towards development of Covid-19 vaccines as a “ray of hope” that needs to reach everyone and called on the G-20 nations to support the global collaboration to accelerate development of coronavirus treatments and drugs.

This week, global drugmakers Pfizer and BioNTech said their Covid-19 vaccine candidate is 95 per cent effective, including in adults over 65 years of age. “The recent breakthroughs on Covid-19 vaccines offer a ray of hope. But that ray of hope needs to reach everyone,” Guterres said at a news conference on Friday.

“That means ensuring that vaccines are treated as a global public good — accessible and affordable to everyone, everywhere. A people’s vaccine. This is not a ‘do-good’ exercise. It is the only way to stop the pandemic dead in its tracks,” he said.

Asserting that “solidarity is indeed survival”, Guterres said that the Access to Covid-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator and its COVAX Facility are the vehicles to get nations there.

Based on current projections, the companies expect to produce globally up to 50 million vaccine doses in 2020 and up to 1.3 billion doses by the end of 2021. The major announcement came just days after Moderna said its virus vaccine has an efficacy rate of 94.5 per cent.

The announcements about the vaccines and their potential availability for use among the general population in the coming weeks and months has offered hope to millions around the world in a year that has seen the COVID-19 pandemic devastate lives and economies with no signs of abating.

So far, the coronavirus has infected more than 55 million people around the world and killed over 1.3 million people even as governments implemented strict lockdowns and restrictions to slow the spread of the virus that originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan. A second wave of infections is threatening to derail economies and impact lives again as countries had gradually begun to ease restrictions and open up.

Guterres said that over the past seven months, countries have invested USD 10 billion in the effort to develop vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics but that USD 28 billion more are needed — including USD 4.2 billion before the end of the year.

“This funding is critical for mass manufacturing, procurement and delivery of new COVID-19 vaccines and tools around the world. G20 countries have the resources. I am urging all of them to fully support the ACT-Accelerator,” he said, referring to the global collaboration to accelerate development, production, and equitable access to Covid-19 tests, treatments, and vaccines.

Launched at the end of April 2020, the ACT- Accelerator brings together governments, scientists, businesses, civil society, and philanthropists and global health organisations (the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, CEPI, FIND, Gavi, The Global Fund, Unitaid, Wellcome, the WHO, and the World Bank).

Guterres, however, voiced concern that vaccine myths and wild conspiracies continue to spread on social media, saying it is unfortunate that there is no vaccine for misinformation.

“Our UN communications networks are working to build vaccine confidence with factual, reliable and persuasive content — and reaching out to social media platforms to strengthen public trust. All of these efforts are vital to save lives and provide an exit strategy out of this global economic and human crisis,” he said.

Responding to a question on whether common policies have been agreed or will be discussed for the distribution of the vaccine during the G20 summit, he said there are now more than 160 countries that have committed to the COVAX, the vaccines pillar of the Access to Covid-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator.

“The COVAX will be a system of coordination of the investments needed, both for the development, the production, and the distribution of the vaccines,” he said, adding that beyond the COVAX, there are other initiatives of different countries that are intending to buy vaccines for their own people.

“And of course, I don’t blame a government that decides to protect its own people, but this needs to be done combined with their commitment to COVAX.”
Guterres said several developed countries that have their own programmes already have joined the COVAX and already have invested in the COVAX to obtain vaccines also from the COVAX.

“So, I’m hoping that the COVAX will be the main instrument to guarantee that, indeed, vaccines will become a global public good available and affordable for all. And the G20 has a very important role, and I appeal to all G20 members to become members of the COVAX.”

India tells UNSC it’s time to speak unequivocally against terrorism

UNITED NATIONS, Nov 20: India on Friday told the UN Security Council “it is time” for it to speak “unequivocally against violence and terrorist forces and act against terrorist sanctuaries and safe havens”, and drew its attention during a discussion on Afghanistan to a South Asian neighbour from where terrorism has flowed into the region.

While there was consensus in the council on the need to combat terrorism in all forms and shapes, some of its members have sought to distinguish between terrorists to be condemned and fought and those that need to be defended.

China has done that time and again, extending its protective shield to Pakistan’s terror groups, which have targeted India to its east and Afghanistan to its west.

“It is time that the Security Council speaks unequivocally against violence and terrorist forces and acts against terrorist sanctuaries and safe havens,” T S Tirumurti, the Indian permanent representative, said during an “Aria formula meeting” on Afghanistan.

India participated in the discussion as an incoming member; it starts its eighth term as A non-permanent member in January.

“For durable peace in Afghanistan, we have to put an end to terrorist safe havens and sanctuaries operating across the Durand Line (which separates Afghanistan and Pakistan),” the diplomat said, adding, citing a UN report that pointed to the continued presence of foreign fighters in Afghanistan, “For violence to end in Afghanistan, these terrorist supply chains must be broken.”

Though Tirumurti’s remarks were in the context of Afghanistan, they were relevant to the region.

India on Thursday apprehended four alleged operatives of Jaish-e-Mohammad, a Pakistan-based and -funded terrorist outfit founded by Masood Azhar, whose designation by the UNSC had been blocked by China for years, until it faced the combined force of other permanent members in 2019.

The top Indian diplomat at the UN reiterated India’s support for “Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled” peace process, but also stressed that need for expressly calling attention to terrorism.

Tirumurti said, “There needs to be zero-tolerance of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Afghanistan can succeed only when terrorism no longer flows across the Durand Line. Terror and violence cannot be the instrument to shape Afghanistan’s future or dictate the choices Afghans make. It is important to ensure that no one provides sanctuary to terrorists who threaten Afghanistan or any other country in the region. Those who do so must be held accountable.”

Put digital technology to work ‘for those who need it most’: UN Secretary-General

By Deepak Arora

UNITED NATIONS, Nov 17: While the COVID-19 pandemic has shown the importance of digital technologies and the benefits of connectivity, it has also exacerbated inequalities, including basic online access, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Tuesday in a video message to the closing session of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF).

Due to the digital divide, nearly half the world’s citizens are denied opportunities to study, communicate, shop, work and participate in much of modern life, he said, with close to half a billion students – including at least 11 million girls – affected by school closures.

Meanwhile, disinformation about COVID-19 spread online has put health and lives at risk.

The Secretary-General welcomed the Forum’s focus on digital inclusion, which he described as essential to building strong recovery from the pandemic.

“We urgently need to address the growing digital gender gap and put digital technology to work for those who need it most: the vulnerable, the marginalized, those living in poverty, and people suffering from discrimination of all kinds,” he said.

Guterres stressed that the pursuit of inclusion must also focus on how to make the best use of digital data for the public good.

“Together, as we seek to build a strong recovery from the pandemic, we can reduce the harmful aspects of digital technology, and unleash its power as a true equalizer and enabler”, he said.

“I urge all governments to make sure that your response and recovery plans include increasing digital connectivity in a way that is affordable, safe and inclusive.”

The IGF was established in 2006, bringing together representatives from governments, the private sector, civil society, academia and the technical community.

Many are already working closely with the UN to connect, respect and protect all people online, in line with the Secretary-General’s Roadmap for Digital Cooperation, released in June.

More than 6,000 people from 173 countries took part in this year’s virtual Forum, marking a record level of participation.

“COVID-19 has caused loss of life, brought untold hardship and uncertainties to people around the world. At the same time however, it has shone a spotlight on the possibilities of the new normal, which is more digital than ever”, said Liu Zhenmin, head of the UN’s Department for Economic and Social Affairs.

Acknowledging the current “critical moment” and its historic challenges, Liu looked forward to the next IGF in December 2021, when participants will gather – he hoped in person - in Katowice, Poland.

The Secretary-General praised the IGF for its “vital role in connecting the dots on the global digital map” but stressed the need to reach decision-makers.

He called for decisive and urgent action to strengthen the Forum “so that it can enhance its unique role in the digital cooperation architecture.”

The UN chief pointed to areas for improvement, such as increasing the Forum’s visibility, to a proposal for a high-level body that can translate its discussions into concrete impact.

“My Roadmap sets out a series of actions to this end, and I intend to move quickly on those that fall under my responsibility”, he said.

Commitment crucial to strengthen Security Council: UN Assembly President Volkan Bozkir

By Deepak Arora

UNITED NATIONS, Nov 17: Highlighting the importance of the UN Security Council to address peace and security challenges in an increasingly complex world, the President of the General Assembly has called on ambassadors to drive through “true reforms”, to make the body more effective.

“Member States conferred ‘on the Security Council primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security’. Therefore, the success or failure of the United Nations Security Council is on all the Member States of the United Nations”, highlighted Volkan Bozkir.

“And reform of the [Security] Council ultimately depends on you, the Member States. It is a member-driven process. Your commitment to negotiation is crucial,” the UN’s most senior elected official added.

Bozkir also underscored the need to ensure the widest possible political acceptance amongst the 193 Member States, with if not absolute unanimity, “near unanimity,” he stressed.

Bozkir was speaking at the twenty-seventh plenary meeting of the General Assembly on Monday, which discussed question of equitable representation on and increase in the membership of the Security Council and other matters related to the Security Council, item 127 on the Assembly’s agenda this session.

In his statement, Bozkir recalled prior discussions on the issue, and said that through active engagement and a pragmatic approach, “meaningful progress” can be achieved.

“I urge delegations to seek the broadest possible consensus on comprehensive reforms to the Security Council and to continue the efforts to resolve the main differences among the membership”, he said.

He also underscored the importance of the discussions as an opportunity to correct the problems of structure and functioning of the 15-member Security Council.

“It should not create new privileges and new problems,” he cautioned.

“Any reform, which is not Member State driven, is unlikely to make this organization, and its pillars, more effective and deliver the results we expect”.

Under different titles, the item has been on the agenda of the General Assembly since its eighteenth session. Most recently, in November 2019, the Assembly considered the item in a debate where statements were made by the President and 63 delegations.

The matter focuses on five issues, which include: categories of membership; the question of the veto; regional representation; size of an enlarged Security Council and working methods of the Council; and the relationship between the General Assembly and the Security Council.

The in-person meeting was held at the General Assembly Hall at the UN Headquarters, in New York, in adherence with physical distancing guidelines and necessary COVID-19 mitigation measures.

UN Secy-Gen congratulates Biden

NEW YORK, Nov 9: The UN Secretary-General has congratulated the American people for a vibrant exercise of democracy in their country’s elections last week, according to Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General.

He congratulated the President-elect and Vice President-elect and reaffirmed that the partnership between the United States and the United Nations was an essential pillar of the international cooperation needed to address the dramatic challenges facing the world today.

India’s candidate elected to key UN committee

UNITED NATIONS, Nov 6: India’s candidate has been elected in a closely contested race to a key UN committee that controls the financial and budgetary purse of the world body.

Vidisha Maitra, a career diplomat currently posted as first secretary in the permanent mission of India to the UN in New York, was elected to the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) by 126 votes to 64 votes.

Maitra was India’s candidate for the only post in the committee from the Asia Pacific Group, and the other candidate was from Iraq.

India has served as a member of the committee since its inception in 1946. A place on the committee is seen as one of the most coveted positions in the United Nations system.

New Delhi’s win in this election is also crucial as India is set to start a two-year stint as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council next year.

ACABQ performs several key functions, including the examination of the budget submitted by the UN Secretary General to the General Assembly, and advising the General Assembly on administrative and budgetary matters.

The committee also plays a crucial role in ensuring that resources of member states are used effectively and that the UN’s mandates are properly funded.

Members of ACABQ are elected by the 193 member states in the General Assembly on the basis of broad geographical representation, personal qualifications and experience, and they serve for a period of three years.

ACABQ’s members also serve in a personal capacity and not as representatives of member states.

Before being posted to New York, Maitra served in different capacities in the external affairs ministry in New Delhi, and in India’s missions in Paris, Port Louis and New York over the past 11 years.

She has extensive experience in strategic policy planning and research, defence acquisition matters, formulation and implementation of development assistance and infrastructure projects, international taxation issues, and investment and trade promotion.