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New York (dpa) - UN Secretary General António Guterres has made the disregard of Corona recommendations of the World Health Organization jointly responsible for the extent of the pandemic.
Guterres said on Thursday at the beginning of a two-day special session of the UN General Assembly that the WHO had provided «facts and scientific guidance».
This could have been the basis for global cooperation in the fight against the virus.
"Unfortunately, many of these recommendations were not followed."
The UN Secretary-General left it open to which countries his criticism refers.
"In some situations facts were rejected and recommendations ignored," said Guterres.
"And when countries go in their own directions, the virus goes in every direction."
Video messages from around 100 heads of state and government were expected at the special Corona meeting.
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In her contribution, Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke out in favor of strengthening the WHO.
"It must be even better able to respond to cross-border threats to health."
Germany will work for this.
The pandemic is an "extraordinary test" for humanity, but thanks to the progress made in vaccine development and the establishment of a global platform, among other things for its distribution, there is also "light at the end of the tunnel".
All people around the world must have fair access to effective vaccines and the world must work together to emerge stronger from the crisis.
Concrete resolutions are not expected from the UN event.
The special Corona meeting should serve as an exchange, said the current President of the General Assembly, Volkan Bozkir.
"Now is not the time to point your finger at others."
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 201203-99-564826 / 2