UNITED NATIONS (AP) — A virus that has claimed nearly 1 million lives has underscored the failure of the United Nations to bring countries together to defeat it. And it has renewed calls for U.N. reform and for all countries to collaborate to build a world that is healthy, safe and ready to meet challenges far different — and more daunting — than those it faced at its birth. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says solidarity is key. But last week's virtual meeting of world leaders highlighted rising tensions among major powers, growing inequality, and the increasing difficulty in reaching an agreement on U.N. reforms.
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ASSOCIATED PRESS
Simonetta Sommaruga, President of Switzerland, speaks in a pre-recorded video message during the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, at UN headquarters in New York, in this UNTV file image. The coronavirus that has claimed nearly 1 million lives has underscored the failure of the United Nations to bring countries together to defeat it. “We could criticize the U.N. for this — but who are we really talking about, when we blame `the U.N.?'” Switzerland President Simonetta Sommaruga asked. “We are in fact talking about ourselves, because the U.N. is its member states. And it is often member states that stand in the way of the U.N.’s work.” (UNTV via AP, File)
Posted at 9:40 AM, Sep 27, 2020
and last updated 2020-09-27 20:44:00-04
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