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The United Nations headquarters in New York City
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MIKE SEGAR / REUTERS
Due to the corona pandemic, the United Nations has to celebrate its 75th birthday with great restrictions, mainly video statements are planned.
Donald Trump caused a surprise right at the beginning of the ceremony: Instead of the announced video message from the US President, the United States' Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations, Cherith Norman Chalet, gave a speech.
According to its own announcements, the UN had expected a video speech by Trump on Sunday.
A request from the dpa news agency about the background to the change initially remained unanswered by the UN.
For Germany, a video speech by Chancellor Angela Merkel was on the program.
In her speech, US representative Chalet praised the United Nations, but also spoke of the need for reform, a lack of transparency and susceptibility to autocracies.
"This anniversary is an important moment 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 accomplish its purpose."
The anniversary is the right time to ask questions about the strengths and weaknesses of the UN, to examine its failures and to learn from them.
Guterres laments "deficit in multilateral solutions"
UN Secretary General António Guterres started with international cooperation.
"Today we have an excess of multilateral challenges and a deficit of multilateral solutions."
Effective collaboration with vision and ambition is needed to tackle problems such as climate change, inequality and disadvantage for women and to fight hatred and poverty.
Because of the corona pandemic, only one representative was allowed in the great UN hall for each member country.
The heads of state and government sent pre-recorded video messages.
Chinese President Xi Jinping praised in his speech: "This organization has been presented one test after the other and has emerged with renewed vigor and vivacity."
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also emphasized his appreciation - but at the same time urged urgent reforms, including those of the Security Council.
UN study indicates global need for basic services
According to the UN, a global survey on the anniversary with more than one million participants shows the great need for basic care.
"In the midst of the current Covid-19 crisis, the immediate priority for most respondents is improving access to basic services - health care, clean water, sanitation and education," the study says.
The desire for greater international solidarity and help for those hardest hit by the pandemic also plays an important role.
The United Nations was founded in 1945 with initially 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 meeting with plenty of opportunity for diplomacy in the aisles.
Because of the pandemic, most of the encounters are canceled this time.
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