UN urges global solidarity in first resolution adopted on COVID-19 News
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UN urges global solidarity in first resolution adopted on COVID-19

The UN General Assembly on Thursday unanimously agreed to a resolution urging international cooperation to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. It is the first resolution the assembly adopted since the outbreak.

The resolution calls on international cooperation to “contain, mitigate and defeat the pandemic, including by exchanging information, scientific knowledge and best practices and by applying the relevant guidelines recommended by the World Health Organization.”

Due to COVID-19, the UN General Assembly, which has 193 member states, temporarily changed its voting procedures for resolutions. Normally, resolutions are adopted by a majority vote. Since the General Assembly is currently not holding meetings, a resolution will not pass if even one member state objects to it.

Another resolution on COVID-19 sponsored by Russia did not pass. This other resolution urged “an end to trade wars, protectionist practices and unilateral sanctions without U.N. Security Council approval.”

For more on COVID-19, see our special coverage.

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