China
At the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Tuesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping noted the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and said the virus “has ravaged the world and has kept resurging.” “In this fight, we have witnessed the efforts of governments, the dedication of medical workers, exploration of scientists, and perseverance of the public. People of different countries have come together. With courage, resolve and compassion, which lit the dark hour, we have confronted the disaster head-on,” Xi said.
He put forth four suggestions to combat the virus:
- Mobilise all resources to make a science-based and targeted response.
- Follow the guidance of science, give full play to the leading role of the World Health Organization, and launch a joint international response to beat this pandemic.
- Reopen businesses and schools in an orderly way to create jobs, boost the economy, and restore economic and social order and vitality.
- Accommodate the need of developing countries, especially African countries. Debt relief and international assistance must be offered to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Xi promised that China will honour its commitment to provide $2 billion in international assistance over the next two years and promote international cooperation in “agriculture, poverty reduction, education, women and children, climate change, and restoring economic and social development.”
Moreover, he assured that China would:
- Donate $50 million to the UN COVID-19 Global Humanitarian Response Plan.
- Donate $50 million to the China-FAO South-South Cooperation Trust Fund (Phase III).
- Extend the Peace and Development Trust Fund between the UN and China five years after it expires in 2025.
- Set up a UN Global Geospatial Knowledge and Innovation Center and an International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals to facilitate the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
South Korea
During his address, South Korean President Moon Jae-in said, “Socioeconomic problems built up over the years were brought to the fore by the pandemic…The UN has been calling for reducing such inequalities already for years by putting forth the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030. Now, it is incumbent upon all members of the UN to work with greater vigour to realise the SDGs.” He reassured that South Korea would deliver on its $200 million pledge to COVAX.
Concerning action on climate change, Moon said his administration will finalise its 2050 carbon neutrality scenario by next month and also unveil its “enhanced” nationally determined contributions (NDCs) for 2030 at the UN Climate Change Conference in November.
He also spoke of denuclearising the Korean peninsula. “I call for a speedy resumption of dialogue between the two Koreas and between the United States and North Korea,” Moon said. Additionally, Moon urged the international community to “mobilise its strengths for the end-of-war declaration on the Korean Peninsula.” He proposed that “three parties of the two Koreas and the US, or four parties of the two Koreas, the US and China come together and declare that the War on the Korean Peninsula is over.”
UNGA Coverage:
- SUMMARY: DRC President Félix Tshisekedi’s UNGA Address
- SUMMARY: UNGA Addresses by the Leaders of Zambia, CAR, and Rwanda
- SUMMARY: UNGA Addresses by the Leaders of Madagascar, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Kenya
- SUMMARY: UNGA Addresses by the Leaders of Malawi, Djibouti, Togo, and Guinea-Bissau
- SUMMARY: UNGA Addresses by the Leaders of Brazil, Colombia, and Chile
- SUMMARY: UNGA Addresses by the Leaders of Ecuador, Argentina, Costa Rica, and Peru
- SUMMARY: UNGA Addresses by the Leaders of Venezuela, Guatemala, and Honduras
- SUMMARY: UNGA Addresses by the Leaders of Uruguay, the Dominican Republic, and Suriname
- SUMMARY: US President Joe Biden’s UNGA Address
- SUMMARY: UNGA Addresses by the Leaders of Iran, Turkey, Qatar, Egypt, and Somalia
- SUMMARY: UNGA Addresses by the Leaders of Saudi Arabia and Jordan
Philippines
Referring to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on developing countries, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said, “From what I have seen, that future will likely be one of inequality–where the poor plays catch-up with the rich, no hope nor chance of ever succeeding in closing the gap...We have to reverse course.”
“Rich countries hoard life-saving vaccines, while poor nations wait for trickles. They now talk of booster shots, while developing countries consider half-doses to get by. This is shocking beyond belief and must be condemned for what it is–a selfish act that can neither be justified rationally nor morally,” Duterte stressed.
On climate change, Duterte said, “The Philippines accepts its share of responsibility and will do its part to avert this collective disaster. We have submitted our first Nationally Determined Contribution, with a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2030.”
Furthermore, he called on developed countries to “fulfil their longstanding commitment to climate financing, technology transfer, and capacity-building in the developing world.” “This a moral obligation that cannot be avoided,” Duterte asserted.