The UAE emphasized the important role of health in achieving security and peace during the open Security Council debate on the impact of the emerging Corona Virus (Covid-19) pandemic on global security issues.
The written statement submitted to the Security Council stated: "We have always considered health and security as part of a coherent group, one of which affects the other and requires multilateral attention and close cooperation, and this understanding has strengthened the UAE's response to the Covid-19 / pandemic, including Our support for the Secretary-General's call for a global cease-fire, our contributions to the World Health Organization and the World Food Program, as well as the delivery of over 1,000 tons of medical supplies to more than 70 countries, including many on the Security Council's agenda, and this is reflected in Our national procedures, by committing ourselves to providing information with credibility and transparency, as well as offering free tests and treatment to citizens, residents and visitors in need, based on our belief that no one can be safe until everyone is safe.
The UAE welcomed the recent adoption by the Council of Resolution No. 2532 of 2020, which called for a general and immediate cessation of hostilities in all cases on its agenda and for a humanitarian truce, echoing the call made by Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, since the outbreak of this epidemic started as the UAE was One of the first countries to support this call, noting the possibility of a ceasefire in limiting the spread of the pandemic and its impact, through improving the humanitarian situation. The resolution is expected to serve as a main reference in the upcoming Security Council measures on epidemics.
In addition, the UAE acknowledged the important role that peacekeeping missions can play in responding to health crises, a note to the precedent established during the response to the Ebola epidemic when peacekeeping missions provided critical support to medical and humanitarian operations in West Africa.
The UAE also welcomed the steps taken to protect peacekeepers from the emerging Corona pandemic, and recommended that medical goods stocks for peacekeepers and other personnel be used in United Nations supply depots for rapid needs-based deployment around the world.
In its statement, the UAE highlighted the importance of gender mainstreaming in the Security Council, as the measures taken by the international community to address the emerging coronavirus pandemic have increased rates of sexual and violence against women around the world, and have significantly affected women in affected societies. With conflict.
Accordingly, it called on the UAE to regularly inform the Council on the status of women, sexual violence and violence against women in the cases before it, and to provide peacekeeping and political missions with resources and adequate incentives to achieve results for the benefit of women.
In addition, given the closed borders in many countries, the UAE stressed the importance of humanitarian aid in crisis situations, stressing the role of the Security Council in promoting the delivery of basic medical and humanitarian supplies to serve the most in need.
The UAE plays an important role in maintaining humanitarian logistics during crises, as the International City for Humanitarian Services in Dubai contributed to the transfer of 80% of personal protective equipment during the response of the WHO to the emerging Corona pandemic.