UN general debate: Johnson wants to strengthen WHO



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At the UN, Britain’s Prime Minister Johnson called on states to fight the coronavirus together. Britain has been hit hard by the pandemic: Tough restrictions in the country continue to spark protests.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has urged United Nations member states to act together in the fight against future pandemics. “If we do not unite and direct our fire against our common enemy, we know that everyone will lose,” the prime minister said in a video message during the general debate at the UN General Assembly.

“Extraordinary power of division”

This also includes carefully examining the origin and spread of the new coronavirus. The pandemic “brought humanity together like never before,” Johnson said. But the virus also created an “extraordinary force of division”, for example, when countries competed with each other for medical products.

After nine months of fighting the pandemic, the international community was “in tatters.” Johnson vowed to use the upcoming British G7 presidency next year to “unite the world after Covid.”

Johnson presented a five-point plan to his colleagues at the UN, which was developed in conjunction with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the British Wellcome Trust. Consequently, a global network will be created to identify pathogens before they pass from animals to humans.

Johnson cited expanding capabilities for vaccine and drug development and production as additional measures. It is also necessary to improve early warning systems and agree on international protocols for health crises. It’s about “being honest and coming to a common understanding of how the pandemic started and how it spread,” the Prime Minister said.

Britain promises greater contribution from WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) must play a central role in any case, “regardless of how great the need for reform.” For Britain, Johnson announced an increase in WHO’s contribution by 30 percent over the next four years.

Johnson had to receive intensive care even after contracting the coronavirus in March. In the UK, he is also criticized for his handling of the pandemic. Your country has the highest number of corona deaths in Europe with 42,000 confirmed deaths. This week Johnson announced new restrictions due to a further increase in the number of cases.

Protests against the crown restrictions led to clashes between protesters and police in London. Thousands of people gathered in Trafalgar Square to demonstrate against Johnson’s policies. Because the participants did not meet the requirements for protection against infections, the police broke up the demonstration. Four policemen were injured and two had to be hospitalized. There have been 10 arrests, police said.

Despite the sharp increase in the number of infections, the London government wants to avoid a second nationwide lockdown as much as possible. Instead, it is based on regional measures like in England, where all restaurants and pubs must close at 10pm



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