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The UN celebrates its 75th anniversary, but one is missing
The United Nations celebrated its 75th anniversary with a ceremony Monday, surprisingly without Donald Trump.
In reality, the president of the United States should have been the first representative of the 193 member states to express himself with a prerecorded video message. Instead, only the US Vice Ambassador to the United Nations, Cherith Norman Chalet, spoke.
President Emmanuel Macron spoke on behalf of France. Image: keystone
High-ranking representatives affirmed the importance of the UN, but also called for reforms. Due to the Corona crisis, the ceremony at the UN headquarters in New York was much more modest than planned.
In her video message, Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) invoked the unity and willingness of the UN for reform. “Ultimately, the United Nations can only be that good if its members agree,” Merkel said in the prerecorded message.
“Too often, the UN Security Council is stuck when it comes to clear decisions. We need reforms. ”The UN would have to evolve to meet the global challenges of the 21st century.
The call of the secretary general
Previously, the UN Secretary General, António Guterres, had called for international cooperation at the start of the event. “Today we have a surplus of multilateral challenges and a deficit of multilateral solutions.”
Effective collaboration with vision and ambition is needed to tackle issues like climate change, inequality and disadvantage for women and to fight hatred and poverty. Merkel also stressed the importance of international cooperation, which too often suffers from the “interests of individual members.”
US Vice Ambassador Chalet also paid tribute to the UN, but also highlighted its need for reform and spoke of the lack of transparency and vulnerability to autocracies. “This anniversary is an important time for the Trump administration to mark the many successes of the United Nations, but to do so with clear eyes and a renewed determination to see this important body fulfill its purpose.”
One representative per country
Due to the corona pandemic, only one representative was allowed in the great hall of the UN for each member country. The heads of state and government sent pre-recorded video messages. On Sunday, the UN expected such a video message from US President Trump, as confirmed by a UN spokesperson on Monday. Who speaks for a member state is the exclusive decision of that country. You do not need to give any reason for the changes.
Chinese President Xi Jinping praised in his speech: “This organization has stood test after test and emerged from it with renewed vigor and vivacity.” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also stressed his recognition, but at the same time called for urgent reforms, including a reorganization of the Security Council.
French President Emmanuel Macron called for a “multilateralism of actions rather than words.” “If we have given the United Nations the necessary means, the hopes placed on it have been fulfilled.” In a joint declaration, all member states committed themselves to the work of the UN.
Founded in 1945
According to the UN, a global survey on the anniversary with more than a million participants shows the great need for basic care. “In the midst of the current Covid-19 crisis, the immediate priority for the majority of respondents is to improve access to basic services: healthcare, clean water, sanitation and education,” the survey said. The desire for greater international solidarity and aid for those most affected by the pandemic also plays an important role.
The United Nations was founded in 1945 with around 50 members. The Federal Republic of Germany and the GDR joined in 1973. The general debate of the UN General Assembly begins on Tuesday, usually a large annual gathering with many opportunities for diplomacy in the corridors. Due to the pandemic, most of the meetings are canceled this time. (sda / dpa)
