UN stresses global solidarity amid pandemic

While this year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, solidarity has now become even more essential to the world, said Amina J. Mohammed, deputy secretary-general of the UN, in a pre-recorded video speech aired as part of a virtual event on Wednesday.

"Seventy-five years ago, world leaders acted with vision and pragmatism, recognizing that cooperation and compromise were in their national interest," she said. "Today, solidarity is even more essential to our survival. COVID-19 has made that painfully clear."

The UN deputy chief made the remarks for Vision China, held by China Daily, which this year is themed "Shaping Our Future Together: Poverty Eradication & Peaceful Development".

"COVID-19 has shown that our multilateral institutions are essential. We need to use every tool at our disposal to turn this crisis into an opportunity," she said, stressing the transformation of institutions and proper transitions to green economies, which empower the next generation.

To address issues including the pandemic, climate change and conflicts, the deputy secretary-general said multilateralism and collective action are needed now more than ever.

"We must rise to this challenge," she stressed, adding that the past few months have shown "huge changes are possible when political will is aligned with public support".

In a position paper released on Sept 10, which reiterates support for multilateralism and the UN, China called for countries to reject unilateralism, hegemonism and power politics and defend the UN-centered international system.

The UN deputy head called on people to strive to recover better with the UN Sustainable Development Goals as a universal road map.

"This moment must be our turning point. We must use the 75th anniversary (of the UN) to signal our resolve," said the Deputy Secretary General. "I look to you all to make this moment count for people and planet."

China Daily launched Vision China in January 2018 to enhance its role as a bridge for communication between China and the world. Focusing on developments in both China and the rest of the world, Vision China invites distinguished Chinese and overseas opinion leaders to give talks and share ideas. Audiences around the world can interact through China Daily's multimedia platforms.