Will the UN hold its annual General Assembly on Zoom?
"It is highly unlikely that heads of state and government from all member states will be able to travel to New York in September."
By OMRI NAHMIASUnited Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres addresses the opening of the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly (photo credit: REUTERS/LUCAS JACKSON)
WASHINGTON – Since the coronavirus outbreak, many international conferences and sports events were canceled or postponed. The UN traditionally holds its annual General Assembly in September. Could the high-profile diplomatic event take place on Zoom?UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sent a letter on Monday to General Assembly President Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, asking him to consider holding the first part of the General Assembly remotely.“It is highly unlikely that heads of state and government from all member states will be able to travel to New York in September,” he wrote.Social-distancing measures are likely to remain in place in the coming months, Guterres wrote.“It is also likely that restrictions on large gatherings will continue, although it is difficult to predict the limits in that regard, with much depending on the steps that New York City and the state of New York will take in the coming months,” he added.Guterres suggested asking world leaders to send prerecorded speeches and to limit attendance in the General Assembly Hall to one person per delegation.“This option would allow for the general debate to continue with the participation of speakers from all member states at the highest possible level, and with the physical presence of member states in the General Assembly Hall,” he wrote. “Similar arrangements could be made for the high-level meeting of the Assembly to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the United Nations.”In response, Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon said in a statement: “The coronavirus pandemic has also affected the diplomatic world, which is primarily based on interpersonal meetings, but are now conducted through digital platforms.“The UN is also preparing to move other high-level discussions and meetings, and to continue with regular activities, to digital or other formats.”
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