"VACCINATION"

As the flu season in the northern hemisphere approaches, “many countries find themselves struggling to strike the right balance between protecting public health, protecting personal liberty and protecting their economies,” warned the WHO on Friday. WHO

Amid a potential global shortage in influenza vaccines and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) has advised countries to protect the elderly and health workers first. UNTV CH

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the COVID-19 pandemic is a “clear test of international cooperation – a test we have essentially failed” as a result of a “lack of global preparedness, cooperation, unity and solidarity.” UNIFEED

Addressing the Annual Ministerial Meeting of Foreign Ministers of Landlocked Developing Countries, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said “the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is exacerbating the plight " of these nations, as "trade, transport and distribution have been upended." UNIFEED

In a video message, Russian President Vladimir Putin told the General Assembly’s General Debate that the Security Council should “continue to serve as the cornerstone of global governance, which cannot be achieved unless the permanent members of the Security Council retain their veto power.” UNIFEED

Chinese President Xi Jinping said, facing the coronavirus, “we should enhance solidarity and get this through together. We should 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. Any attempt of politicizing the issue or stigmatization must be rejected.” UNIFEED

United States President Donald Trump said the world has waged “a fierce battle against the invisible enemy -- the China Virus -- which has claimed countless lives in 188 countries,” adding that, “we must hold accountable the nation which unleashed this plague onto the world: China.” UNIFEED

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said “populism and nationalism have failed” and stressed that in an interconnected world, “it is time to recognize a simple truth: solidarity is self-interest. If we fail to grasp that fact, everyone loses.” UNIFEED

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General said that the COVAX Facility will help to bring the COVID-19 pandemic “under control, save lives, accelerate the economic recovery and ensure that the race for vaccines is a collaboration, not a contest.” WHO

Amid rising COVID-19 infection rates, medical supply shortages in Syria, more testing key to gauging extent of outbreak, humanitarian chief tells Security Council.