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SAYING that the United Nations (UN) “continues to be the essential Organization of humanity,” President Rodrigo Duterte called for reforms, as the international body is affected by the pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19 ) that “it has claimed many lives and destroyed economies and social order.”
In his speech during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) broadcast Wednesday morning, Duterte said that the UN and the world at large are now at a crossroads.
He noted how Covid-19 has “sparked an unfamiliar global landscape and triggered an unprecedented crisis.”
“It is (Covid-19) the greatest test that the world and the United Nations have faced since World War II. While the United Nations has brought relief and hope to so many countries and peoples around the world, it is now overwhelmed by a virus that has claimed many lives and destroyed economies and social order, ”Duterte said.
“We will have to ask ourselves difficult and fundamental questions about the vision and mission that the United Nations conceptualized 75 years ago. We have to ask ourselves whether we have remained true and faithful to the principles and ideals of the United Nations, ”he said.
The president said that while the UN remains “the essential organization of humanity”, it is “only as effective as we make it.”
“To make meaningful changes, we must be courageous. We need the same collective courage that finally made the United Nations a reality 75 years ago. We must act on the basis of long-standing recommendations to improve the composition and working methods of the Security Council; strengthen the role of the General Assembly; and streamline UN processes and operations, “Duterte said.
“In fact, to be ready for the new global normal, the United Nations cannot continue as usual. We will empower [the] UN – reform it – to face the challenges of today and tomorrow, “he added.
For the Philippines, Duterte said that this would mean “putting all the peoples of our united nations at the center of this response.”
“While each nation has its own strategy to combat the pandemic, what the world needs are coordinated international plans and efforts to pursue a common purpose. Covid-19 knows no borders. He does not know any nationality. He does not know race. It does not know any gender. He does not know the age. He doesn’t know any creeds, ”he said.
While the president welcomed the launch of the United Nations Covid Response and Recovery Fund, he underscored the need to ensure equitable access to a safe and effective vaccine.
“Ensuring universal access to anti-Covid-19 technologies and products is essential in recovering from the global pandemic. The world is in the race to find a safe and effective vaccine. When the world finds that vaccine, it must not be denied or denied access to it. It should be available to everyone, rich and poor countries alike, as a matter of policy, ”he said.
“The Philippines joins our partners ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and the Non-Aligned Movement in raising our collective voice: the Covid-19 vaccine should be seen as a global public good. Let’s be clear on this, ”he added.
The president also urged the UNGA to ensure that the World Health Organization (WHO) has sufficient resources and political space to address the pandemic more quickly and efficiently.
“We need a WHO that coordinates and responds quickly. The Philippines will do its part in pooling global resources. Our healthcare workers are among the best, ”he said.
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