ADVTNGO– UN website reported that, UN chief urges unity in mobilizing ‘every ounce of energy’ to defeat coronavirus pandemic, in a virtual press briefing.
“We know the pandemic is having profound social, economic and political consequences, including relating to international peace and security”, the UN chief said, in a virtual press conference outlining the impact so far of the ceasefire appeal.
Ten days ago, António Guterres called for an immediate global ceasefire to help people in war-torn regions receive life-saving aid to fight the coronavirus pandemic. He said that the call has been endorsed by 70 Member States, regional partners, non-State actors, and others. “Religious leaders – including Pope Francis – have added their moral voice in support of a global ceasefire, as have citizens through grassroots mobilization online”, he told reporters.
He said in his invitation for global ceasefire that: Our world faces a common enemy: COVID-19. The virus does not care about nationality or ethnicity, faction or faith. It attacks all, relentlessly.
He added, Meanwhile, armed conflict rages on around the world. The most vulnerable — women and children, people with disabilities, the marginalized and the displaced — pay the highest price.
Although a substantial number of fighters and militias have accepted the call, the UN chief stressed that “there is a huge distance between declarations and deeds – between translating words into peace on the ground, and in the lives of people”.
He acknowledged the “enormous difficulties” in implementing a truce to halt conflicts that have festered for years, where “distrust is deep”, and recognized that “any initial gains are fragile and easily reversible”.
“We need robust diplomatic efforts to meet these challenges”, he asserted. “To silence the guns, we must raise the voices for peace”.
