The UN Security Council paralysis in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic is " a disgrace, " its president-in-office for May, Estonian Ambassador Sven Jürgenson, said on Friday. extend to the countries in question.
Asked about the possibility of a vote on a resolution proposed by Tunisia and France and in discussions since March, the diplomat replied that he would have preferred it to be adopted " three weeks ago ". " It is truly a shame that we have not been able to exercise our responsibility, " added the Ambassador of Estonia, a non-permanent member of the Council since January. A vote on the resolution " could take place next week ", but there are still " stumbling blocks ", he warned.
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" Discussions are continuing at a high level " to break the deadlock, he added, refusing to identify those responsible for the blockage. According to diplomatic sources, the project is blocked by the United States and China because of a mention in the text. China " wants a mention on the World Health Organization " in the resolution while the United States " does not want ", had told AFP earlier in the week these sources.
The draft resolution aims to strengthen international cooperation in the fight against the pandemic and to support an appeal by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to a cessation of hostilities in some 20 countries in conflict in order to facilitate the fight against the Covid-19.