Vietnam calls for protection of civilians in COVID-hit countries with conflicts

Addressing the session, Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, head of the Vietnamese permanent mission to the UN, held that the resolution should be fully implemented through the effective response to the call for ceasefire by the UN Secretary-General and the resolution.

It is necessary to focus on protecting people in countries experiencing conflicts and humanitarian crisis, along with the strengthening of solidarity and coordination of efforts at national, regional and global levels as well as relevant parties during the preparation, response and recovery after the pandemic ends.

He stressed the need to maintain peacekeeping operations in the “new normal” situation, contributing to the long-term solutions to maintain sustainable peace and development.

Resolution 2532 was adopted by the UN Security Council on July 1, 2020 with 15/15 votes. It calls for the ceasefire in all countries included in the council’s agenda, while supporting the UN Secretary-General’s call for global ceasefire to create favourable conditions for the control of COVID-19 pandemic.

At the session, UN Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo held that COVID-19 pandemic has caused risks of erosion of trust in public institutions, the aggravation of certain human rights challenges during the pandemic, which in turn can fuel conflict, and impacts on political and peace processes.

She underlined the significance of Security Council’s decisive engagement in follow up to the ceasefire call.

Meanwhile, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock said that alongside assistance from humanitarian agencies, others, in particular the international financial institutions, have an important role to play in helping the most vulnerable countries cope through the crisis.

He held that beyond the economy, the biggest indirect effect of the virus is on public services, especially health and education.

Members of the UN Security Council called on all parties involving in conflicts to fully implement Resolution 2532, while effectively responding to the UN Secretary-General ceasefire call, and supporting and giving humanitarian assistance to countries with conflicts.

They also lauded UN efforts to adjust the operations of peacekeeping missions to maintain their operations, support the host country and protect themselves.