Estonia, who recently assumed the Presidentship of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has severely criticized the council’s handling of the COVID-19 and termed it shameful.
Estonia’s Permanent Ambassador to UN Sven Jurgenson also slammed the council for the various stumbling blocks in adopting a single resolution.
“I think it is a shame that we have not been able to take the leadership. There are certain reasons for that. But Estonia has been of the most active in pushing very strongly for more than a month already to be there, and for the security council to stand where it should stand,” Jurgenson said.
During the virtual press conference, he also slammed the body for not adopting a resolution.
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He went on to add that there were two resolutions and a failure to arrive at an understanding between two permanent members was a reason for its non-adoption.
He was referring to the battle between the US and China. The former has been critical of the role of the World Health Organization (WHO).
The UN Secretary-General had described this as a failure of leadership.
The two resolutions which are being considered include one moved by France which echoed the words of the UNSG calling for a ceasefire in all armed conflicts across the world in view of the humanitarian crisis. The second resolution has been introduced by Tunisia on behalf of the 10 non-permanent members which calls for a joint strategy to deal with the crisis.
Estonia said that a joint resolution combining the above two has been drafted.
Estonia recently took over the Presidentship of the UNSC from the Dominican Republic.