(Fighting against New Coronary Pneumonia) The Chinese representative expounded on four propositions on responding to the new corona epidemic
China News Agency, United Nations, April 11. The United Nations Security Council held an open meeting on the new crown epidemic and vaccine issues on the 11th. Ambassador Zhang Jun, the Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations, explained China's proposition at the meeting.
Zhang Jun said that the world has entered the third year of the new crown epidemic.
Humanity has basically mastered effective means to fight the epidemic, and has seen the light at the end of the tunnel.
At the same time, the epidemic is not over, and variants of viruses that spread faster have appeared one after another, and we cannot relax.
Only when all countries overcome the epidemic can the world declare its final victory.
He put forward four propositions on some of the current outstanding issues.
First, vigorously promote the construction of an "immune barrier".
Globally, the World Health Organization's 70% vaccination rate target is far from being achieved, especially in conflict countries where vaccination rates are generally lower than the world average.
Security Council Resolution 2565 calls for improved access and affordability of vaccines in conflict zones.
The top priority is to increase vaccine assistance and supply, so that no country and no one will be left behind.
China has provided about 2.2 billion doses of the new crown vaccine to more than 120 countries and international organizations, and has donated 100 million US dollars to the "New Crown Vaccine Implementation Plan" and supplied 220 million doses of the vaccine.
China was the first to support the exemption of intellectual property rights for vaccines and was the first to transfer technology to developing countries.
China supports the World Trade Organization to make an early decision on the exemption of intellectual property rights for vaccines.
Second, strengthen the construction of public health systems in developing countries.
Developing countries are disadvantaged in the global health system and face difficult challenges themselves.
Even if there are sufficient vaccines in many countries, it is difficult to vaccinate all the people in need in a timely manner.
The international community should vigorously help developing countries strengthen the construction of public health systems.
The Security Council, together with other institutions, should take a pragmatic approach and take concrete measures to give hope to countries in conflict.
Third, inject new impetus into post-pandemic recovery and economic and social development.
The epidemic has led to slowdown or even recession in the economic growth of many countries, and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development faces even more daunting challenges.
The external environment is more severe, and the importance and urgency of developing countries to achieve development are more prominent.
China proposes a global development initiative. The starting point is to address the areas of poverty eradication, equitable access to vaccines, and financing for development, which are of the greatest concern to developing countries, and to put development at the core of the global macro policy framework. Post-pandemic recovery provides a viable path.
China will hold a high-level meeting of the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative in the near future, and all parties are welcome to participate actively.
Fourth, practice genuine multilateralism.
In the more than two years of the epidemic, more than 6 million people lost their lives, and the lessons have been profound.
Putting people at the center is the most important guiding ideology in responding to the epidemic.
At the global level, solidarity and cooperation are the most powerful weapons to defeat the epidemic and tackle other global challenges.
Under the new situation, we must strengthen the consciousness of a community with a shared future for mankind and jointly build a better world.
Zhang Jun said that some countries have a Cold War mentality, draw lines with ideology, create new bloc confrontations, constantly introduce bottomless unilateral sanctions, weaponize economic interdependence, and force countries to choose sides, causing the international community to fall into division , bringing great uncertainty and risk to the world.
These irresponsible behaviors harm others and themselves, and must be resolutely resisted.
Today's world needs true multilateralism all the more.
Facing the post-pandemic period, all countries should strengthen unity, respect each other, build trust and harmony, cooperate and win-win under the banner of the United Nations, and strive to open up a better future.
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