United Nations (United States) (AFP)

The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution on Friday demanding equity in access to vaccines against the Covid-19 pandemic, reflecting a certain rediscovered unity in the international community.

The resolution, the second in a year from the Security Council on the pandemic, also calls for solidarity and ceasefires around the world to better fight the virus and carry out vaccinations.

"The vote for equity in vaccines is important and we appreciate that," responded the boss of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

"But concrete steps must be taken such as giving up intellectual property on patents to increase production, vaccine coverage and get rid of this virus as soon as possible," he added.

Rarely at the UN, the resolution, drafted by the United Kingdom, was co-sponsored by all 15 members of the Security Council, according to diplomats.

"We are all facing the same threat, the same pandemic and international cooperation and multilateral action are necessary," notes a diplomat on condition of anonymity.

"This resolution can be a step in the right direction," he said.

After barely a week of negotiations, this resolution represents a turn for the international community towards a unity often at fault since the outbreak of the pandemic a year ago.

It also reflects a clear warming of the relationship between the United States and China since the arrival of Democrat Joe Biden to power.

Even if there are still complicated subjects, the origin of the virus, the question of transparency, "today, in particular because of the changes which have taken place in the United States, this subject is not as controversial as it was last spring ", notes a diplomat on condition of anonymity.

As to whether this unity will continue, "we'll see," he adds.

- "Fair and affordable access" -

Last year, it took more than three months for France and Tunisia to pass a resolution calling for ceasefires around the world amid heightened rivalry between the United States and China long ago. blocked any early adoption.

The resolution approved Friday "underlines the urgent need for solidarity, equity and efficiency and calls for the donation of vaccine doses by developed economies and all those in a position to do so to low and middle income countries or in need. (…) For equitable access to health products against Covid-19 ".

The Council also calls for "the strengthening of national and multilateral approaches and international cooperation (...) in order to facilitate equitable and affordable access to Covid-19 vaccines in situations of armed conflict, post-conflict situations and situations complex humanitarian emergency ".

The resolution further demands "that all parties to armed conflict immediately engage in a sustainable, extended and sustained humanitarian pause to facilitate, among other things, the equitable, safe and unhindered delivery and distribution of Covid-19 vaccines in the zones of armed conflict ".

Finally, the Council calls on the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, to carry out frequently "a comprehensive assessment of the obstacles to accessibility to vaccines" and on the member countries of the Organization to take "measures to avoid speculation and improper storage that could hamper access to safe and effective vaccines, especially in situations of armed conflict. "

Since the end of December 2019, the pandemic has killed more than 2.5 million people worldwide.

© 2021 AFP