UNGA won’t have physical meetings first time in 75 yrs

UNITEDNATIONS: For the first time in the United Nation’s 75-year history, its General Assembly session in September will be held virtually, and world leaders will submit pre-recorded video statements as they will not be physically attending the annual event due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the organisation has decided.

UNITED NATIONS: World leaders will send videos instead of physically gathering at the United Nations this September due to the coronavirus pandemic, the General Assembly decided on Wednesday, a move that paves the way for people wary of travelling to the US to participate in the annual summit.

The annual high-level meeting had been shaping up to be a week-long celebration of the 75th anniversary of the world body, but UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had suggested back in May that world leaders could send in video statements instead of assembling physically due to travel issues.

The 193-member UN General Assembly agreed on Wednesday to the special measures, making it the first time leaders won’t physically attend the summit.

“Each member state, observer state and the European Union can submit a pre-recorded statement of its head of state, vice-president, crown prince or princess, head of government, minister or vice-minister, which will be played in the General Assembly Hall... after introduction by their representative who is physically present,” according to the decision.