S/2020/638 Security Council

In accordance with the procedure agreed upon by the members of the Security Council in the light of the extraordinary circumstances caused by the coronavirus disease pandemic, and as reflected in the letter dated 27 March 2020 from the President of the Security Council addressed to all members of the Council (S/2020/253), I would like to draw your attention to the following. The members of the Council have discussed a draft resolution, submitted by France and Tunisia, in connection with the agenda item entitled “Maintenance of international peace and security”. That draft resolution has been put in blue (S/2020/607, see enclosure). In my capacity as President of the Security Council, I hereby put the above- mentioned draft resolution to a vote. The non-extendable 24-hour voting period for that draft resolution will begin at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, 30 June 2020 and expire at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, 1 July 2020. Please submit your vote (in favour, against or abstention) on that draft resolution and possible explanation of vote by sending the Director of the Security Council Affairs Division of the Secretariat (egian@un.org) a letter signed by the Permanent Representative or Chargé d’affaires a.i. within the non-extendable 24-hour voting period set out above. It is my intention to circulate a letter listing the outcome of the vote within three hours of the conclusion of the 24-hour voting period. I also intend to convene a video-teleconference of the Security Council to announce the outcome of the vote shortly after the conclusion of the voting period, in the afternoon of Wednesday, 1 July 2020.

China voted in favour of the draft resolution on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) (S/2020/607). COVID-19 is the most severe global challenge facing the world today. The Security Council shoulders the primary responsibility of maintaining international peace and security, and, at this critical moment, the Council is duty-bound to take action within its mandate to tackle the negative impact of COVID-19 on international peace and security. The adoption of resolution 2532 (2020) demonstrates the general consensus of Council members and the States Members of the United Nations in promoting more prominent roles for the United Nations and its specialized agencies, as well as solidarity and cooperation in the fight against COVID-19. It shows the Council’s leadership and its ability to act. It is an important outcome for the Council and the United Nations and a victory for multilateralism. China thanks France and Tunisia for their tireless efforts as co-penholders and appreciates the responsible and cooperative attitude of the vast majority of Council members. This resolution was not easily adopted. One country insisted on a unilateral stance, ignoring the call of the international community. It went back on its words and broke its promise and the consensus, and delayed the consultation process again and again. The Council was thus prevented from taking action to support the Secretary-General’s appeal for a global ceasefire and the COVID-19 Global Humanitarian Response Plan. That country has also refused to lift unilateral coercive measures against relevant countries, turning a blind eye to the call of the Secretary- General and countries around the world to do so. That has exacerbated the suffering of innocent civilians and deepened the humanitarian crisis in some countries and regions amid COVID-19. From the very beginning, China has been supportive of the Secretary- General’s appeal for a global ceasefire and the Global Humanitarian Response Plan, and has voiced its support on various occasions. Most recently, China was one of the 172 Member States and observers that issued the joint statement of support for the Secretary-General’s appeal for a global ceasefire. China constructively engaged in consultations on the resolution, worked tirelessly with most of the Council members to build the widest possible consensus and showed maximum flexibility. As a result, we have managed to overcome all obstacles to ensure that the Council can send a positive message of solidarity and cooperation at this difficult time. China appreciates that the resolution refers to Assembly resolution 74/270, which reflects Member States’ full recognition of the central role played by the United Nations and the World Health Organization in the global fight against COVID-19. In addition, China welcomes the inclusion of the concept of putting the people at the centre, which is conducive to addressing root causes of conflicts and is highly significant, as it reflects the demands and concerns of developing countries. China calls on the international community to seize the opportunity of the adoption of resolution 2532 (2020) to encourage parties to conflict to respond to the Secretary-General’s appeal for a global ceasefire, immediately cease hostilities, work together to combat COVID-19, save lives, commit to resolving disputes peacefully through political and diplomatic means, ensure access to humanitarian assistance and enhance the safety and security of peacekeepers. S/2020/638 COVID-19 is the common enemy of humankind. In the face of that unprecedented test, all countries should put people at the centre, always put people’s lives and health first and do their utmost to save lives. We must have a responsible attitude and adopt resolute measures to fight the virus. Moreover, we must be guided by science and reject politicizing, labelling and stigmatizing. The international community must cooperate and work together to combat COVID-19, and particularly to assist developing countries in that regard. China has consistently given top priority to people’s lives. China has adopted the most comprehensive, thorough and stringent measures, which have helped to bring the outbreak under control at the lowest possible cost. At the same time, China is working for recovery in collaboration with the international community. China has provided support to more than 150 countries and international organizations, including all those on the Council’s agenda. The Council’s adoption of resolution 2532 (2020) once again proves that multilateralism is the only right choice in a world facing multiple challenges. Unilateralism, by contrast, has no support and will only come to a dead end. At this critical juncture, China firmly takes the side of multilateralism, the vast majority of Member States and fairness and justice. China calls upon all countries to envisage a global community with a shared future, advance multilateralism, strengthen solidarity and collaboration and uphold the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the United Nations-centred international system to jointly create a better future for humankind.

Indonesia welcomes today’s adoption of resolution 2532 (2020), on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). We appreciate the efforts of Tunisia and France, as co-penholders, to facilitate the negotiations. We also commend all Council members for their constructive engagement and spirit of compromise in order to ensure that the Council signals its readiness and unity in dealing with the issue. As the Secretary-General has made very clear, the COVID-19 pandemic is a health crisis with far-reaching effects, including with regard to the maintenance of peace and security. The Council’s adoption of this resolution is therefore a welcome, albeit long-overdue, commitment. We voted in favour of the resolution because we believe that COVID-19 has a profound effect on security and humanitarian situations, particularly those on the Council’s agenda. It is therefore important to send a strong message to all parties to armed conflict to cease hostilities and engage in a humanitarian pause in order to ensure the delivery of, and access to, humanitarian assistance. This resolution is also an important step towards ensuring an accelerated response to the COVID-19 pandemic in countries and situations affected by armed conflicts and humanitarian crises. It calls for United Nations missions on the ground, including peacekeeping and special political missions, to support host countries and continue performing their mandated tasks while ensuring the safety, security and health of their personnel. Indonesia believes that, given the unprecedented nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, a coordinated international response is necessary. The United Nations must rise to the occasion, and we must show that we support the role of all United Nations bodies in that regard. In conclusion, we would like to salute all front-line personnel at the forefront of the battle against COVID-19, including international health and humanitarian relief personnel.

The Russian delegation voted in favour of resolution 2532 (2020), on countering the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), drafted by France and Tunisia. Although the co-penholders did not fully take into account all of our approaches, we decided to support a document of exceptional importance for the entire international community. The tough negotiations, which nevertheless led to an agreement on the text of the resolution, demonstrated that the Security Council members are able to rise above their narrow national interests and respond to the global challenges of our time. We would like to draw attention to the fact that the resolution includes a reference to the measures proposed by the Secretary-General concerning the response to the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on countries affected by armed conflict. We would like to recall that, in his March 2020 report Shared Responsibilities, Global Solidarity: Responding to the Socio-Economic Impacts of COVID-19, the Secretary-General stresses the urgent need to waive unilateral sanctions, which seriously limit the capacity of countries to respond to challenges related to the pandemic. We also fully support the Secretary-General’s 23 March appeal for a global ceasefire. The Russian Federation was among the first to officially respond by posting a statement the very next day through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We consider it extremely important that the text of the resolution clearly states that the humanitarian pause and cessation of hostilities do not apply to counter- terrorism operations. We note with concern that some negative forces are already trying to take advantage of the current situation to obtain some benefits on the ground. We are particularly concerned about the increased terrorist activity in the Sahara-Sahel subregion, which is already facing a serious humanitarian crisis. That highlights the importance of the counter-terrorism exception agreed upon by the Council. We note that the resolution emphasizes the importance of a coordinated, inclusive, comprehensive and global international response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the United Nations playing a key coordinating role. Such a task fits into our consistent efforts to support the World Health Organization (WHO) as the leading and coordinating body in international efforts to protect and promote public health. We underline the crucial role of that specialized agency of the United Nations system in ensuring the coherence of the multilateral response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact, especially the medical aspects of the global response to the outbreak. WHO is the leading mechanism for mobilizing the efforts of all nations to fight epidemics and infections like the one we are currently witnessing. We consider it extremely important that the international community jointly support the work of WHO. The pandemic, which — and we can say this without exaggeration — steamrolled the entire world and changed the usual course of everyday life, froze economies and entire continents, clearly demonstrated that humankind must be united in countering global challenges. Today the Security Council contributed to doing just that.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines welcomes the adoption, by unanimity, of resolution 2532 (2020), which acknowledges that the unprecedented extent of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is likely to endanger the maintenance of international peace and security. COVID-19 necessitates a firm recommitment to the values of multilateralism in order to address the interlocking health, socioeconomic, political and security challenges of the crisis, and to stimulate a sustainable and inclusive recovery that serves the interests of all nations and peoples. To that end, our delegation considers it an obligation to support this resolution, which lays the foundation for an immediate cessation of hostilities in all situations on the Council’s agenda, thereby allowing conflict-affected countries the time and space to repair their societal fractures and rebuild in order to best respond to COVID-19. Given the disproportionate implications of the pandemic on the developing world, including those resulting from lockdown measures, supply chain disruptions, a sharp decline in remittances and a general decrease in travel, trade and other economic activities, we must cast our collective gaze towards building capacities, reducing inequalities and promoting social and economic justice for all, in accordance with the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Otherwise, we can expect the further escalation of social tensions in many conflict-affected societies. We must also address the urgent humanitarian needs exacerbated by the pandemic. As such, we welcome calls for a sustained humanitarian pause for at least 90 consecutive days in order to enable the safe, unhindered and sustained delivery of humanitarian assistance, in accordance with the principles of international law. We also emphasize the appeal for peacekeeping operations to provide critical support, within their mandates and capacities, to host-country authorities, and further call for an immediate end to all unilateral coercive economic measures that impede national efforts to respond to the pandemic and undermine multilateral cooperation at a time when it is most crucial. As the current pandemic, the likes of which we have not experienced in over a century, continues to wreak havoc on our societies and our economies, we must renew our collective commitment to global health cooperation by crafting effective networks that facilitate rapid early detection, prevention, treatment and response. We must also recommit to providing social protections for the most vulnerable.

South Africa today voted in favour of resolution 2532 (2020), on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, as contained in document S/2020/607. We would, however, like to provide the following explanation of vote. South Africa reiterates its position that the role of the Security Council with regard to global public health emergencies should be clearly understood and linked to issues that fall directly in the ambit of the Council’s mandate. I also wish to put on record the following observations regarding the substance of the text. It is unfortunate that the resolution before us excluded key elements related to the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic as well as its impact. The Secretary- General called for a global ceasefire and a humanitarian pause on 23 March in order to focus undivided attention on the fight against the pandemic and successfully mitigate its impact. He subsequently called for the waiving of measures and sanctions to allow affected Governments and societies to secure much-needed humanitarian aid, life-saving and medical supplies, and personal protective equipment. Following that call, the Council was briefed on numerous occasions by the Secretariat and civil society representatives about the severe impact of sanctions on ordinary citizens. We therefore regret that the resolution neglected to address the impact of sanctions or unilateral coercive measures, despite the Secretary-General’s appeal. South Africa is further dismayed that the acknowledgment of the critical role and leadership of the World Health Organization (WHO) in combating the COVID-19 pandemic has been removed from the final version of the resolution. South Africa reaffirms the indispensable role of WHO and commends its work in assisting affected countries and regional organizations to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic. We underscore the vital need for national, regional and international coordination and cooperation with WHO in order to win the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The resolution should have reflected that need. S/2020/638 S/2020/638

The United Kingdom expresses its thanks to the French and Tunisian delegations for their tireless patience over many months in taking forward resolution 2532 (2020). We commend them for their ingenuity and flexibility in proposing the necessary compromises to allow for its adoption today. The United Kingdom strongly supports the central demand in the resolution for a general and immediate cessation of hostilities. As is stressed in the resolution, the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has had a devastating impact across the world, especially in countries ravaged by armed conflicts or affected by humanitarian crises. We particularly welcome the acknowledgement in the resolution of the critical role that women are playing in COVID-19 response efforts. While we are pleased that Council members have been able to adopt the resolution, the Council’s delay in adopting the resolution since the Secretary-General 23 March ceasefire call is deeply disappointing. We must delay no longer. We call on all parties to conflict to act on this resolution, for the sake of their own peoples and so the world can best defeat COVID-19. The Council should now hold such parties to account if they fail to cease hostilities or permit humanitarian access. We look forward to the Secretary-General’s updates to the Council and thank him for his leadership on this issue.

Throughout our engagement in fighting the spread of this pandemic, we have consistently emphasized the need for complete transparency, objectivity and the timely sharing of public health data and information with the international community. We have also stressed the importance of collecting accurate, science- based data and analysing the origins, characteristics and spread of the virus. While the United States generally supports resolution 2532 (2020), adopted today, we would like to note that it does not include crucial language to emphasize transparency and data-sharing as critical aspects in fighting this virus. We consistently expressed this concern throughout the consultation process on the resolution. Additionally, we would like to note that the United States supports the Secretary-General’s call for a global ceasefire, while recognizing the imperative for critical counterterrorism operations to continue the fight against terrorists who seek to exploit this pandemic and that of course nothing in this resolution can or is intended to prejudice actions by States in the exercise of their inherent right of sovereignty and self-defence, consistent with international law. We welcome the efforts of parties to armed conflicts to respect existing ceasefire agreements and urge continued efforts to negotiate new humanitarian ceasefires in implementation of the political commitments expressed in the resolution. The United States continues to lead the world’s humanitarian and health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are working directly with Governments and authorities, multilateral organizations within their existing mandates, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, faith-based and other organizations responding on the ground to combat this virus. That said, the United States remains seriously concerned about terrorist groups posing as humanitarian actors to exploit and benefit from humanitarian assistance, which is why Member States must remain committed to fulfilling their counterterrorism finance-related obligations, including by implementing appropriate domestic legislation, in compliance with resolution 2462 (2019) and other international obligations. Therefore, we note that nothing in this resolution is meant to call into question the lawful application of domestic laws, as required by and in a manner consistent with international law, to prevent the provision of financing and other material support to terrorists and terrorist groups, or to call into question non-arbitrary restrictions on humanitarian assistance that may be imposed consistent with international humanitarian law. The United States has already made available more than $1.3 billion in emergency health, humanitarian and economic assistance to combat COVID-19, in addition to the funding we already provide to non-governmental and international organizations. This assistance is part of more than $12 billion allocated by agencies and departments across the United States Government to benefit the global response, including vaccine and therapeutics development, preparedness efforts and humanitarian assistance.