“In the Fight Against Corona, We Either Unite or We Fail”

The UN Secretary-General criticized contradictory approaches across the world in fighting coronavirus at the World Health Organization meeting. Guterres emphasized that combating the COVID-19 pandemic can only be managed through collective cooperation of all countries.

Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, on Monday, May 18, 2020 (29 Ordibehesht) at the opening of the annual meeting of the World Health Organization (WHO) described coronavirus as “the greatest challenge of our time.” He strongly criticized the contradictory approaches of the global community and emphasized that solving this problem is only possible with a collective approach.

Guterres said in a video message: “Different countries have pursued different and sometimes contradictory strategies, and we are all paying a heavy price for that.”

Guterres complained about the approaches of various countries in preventing the spread of the new coronavirus and said that there has been only “very little agreement” on this matter. Guterres said that many countries have ignored the recommendations of the World Health Organization, and for this reason the virus has spread throughout the world.

“Either united action or failure”

Guterres emphasized that investigations must be conducted to trace the origin of the COVID-19 pandemic. He noted: “It must be examined where the virus came from, how it was able to spread so quickly throughout the world. But now is not the right time for that. Now the world must act in solidarity with each other to stop the spread of the virus. Guterres emphasized: “We either unite or fail through this pandemic.”

US Levies New Accusations Against WHO

The United States again leveled severe accusations against the World Health Organization. Alex Azar, the US Secretary of Health, said on Monday in a video address at the WHO’s annual video conference that one of the “important reasons the coronavirus outbreak spiraled out of control” was that the World Health Organization failed to “obtain the information the world needed.” He said this “failure” has cost many lives around the world.

Azar, alluding to China, said that in a clear effort to conceal the outbreak of the disease, at least one member state failed to live up to its commitments to transparency, and this came at a heavy cost to the entire world.

The US Secretary of Health emphasized that the World Health Organization has failed in its “primary duty” of “obtaining information and ensuring transparency.” He said this “must never happen again” and currently countries need a “more effective” World Health Organization.

The US government has disputed both China and the World Health Organization for weeks over addressing the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic caused by coronavirus. Donald Trump, President of the United States, accused the World Health Organization of “mismanagement” in the coronavirus crisis and one-sided support favoring China, and cut off this country’s financial payments to this UN-affiliated organization.

Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State, also condemned Taiwan’s exclusion from participating in the World Health Organization’s annual meeting. Pompeo said in Washington: “Under pressure from China, Tedros Adhanom, the Director-General of the World Health Organization, did not invite Taiwan to this conference.”

Pompeo said that the “lack of independence” of the Director-General deprives the World Health Organization of “Taiwan’s renowned scientific experts in the field of pandemics” and damages the credibility and success of this organization at a time when the world needs it most.

At the annual meeting of the World Health Organization, member countries decided to postpone discussion on granting membership status to Taiwan. China views Taiwan as a province that should eventually reunite with the People’s Republic. Taiwan has increasingly been isolated on the international stage, with only 15 countries remaining in diplomatic relations with Taipei.

Merkel: We Must Act United

Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany, also called on the global community to mobilize all its forces in a unified manner in fighting coronavirus. The German Chancellor said: “We are experiencing a global crisis in which no country can solve it alone, we must act united.”

Merkel said that despite great efforts and international initiatives, this pandemic demonstrates that more must be done in the world. She cited as examples better early warning mechanisms and preventive measures, greater research cooperation, and stronger health systems.

China Defends Itself

Xi Jinping, President of China, defended his country’s response to the coronavirus outbreak. The Chinese President emphasized that China responded transparently to the outbreak of the virus and informed the international community as quickly as possible. Xi emphasized that China provided pathogen data to other countries in a timely manner. With these statements, the Chinese President responded to criticism directed at his country, particularly from the United States, which accuses China of concealing the spread of COVID-19.

China also announced that if someone produces a vaccine against the virus, Beijing will turn it into “a global public good.” He said his country has allocated two billion dollars over two years to the global fight against coronavirus.

The issuance of a joint resolution by member countries of the World Health Organization is supported by only more than half of the organization’s member countries.

Source: DW