UN Security Council yet to discuss coronavirus crisis under China's presidency

The UN Security Council, under the presidency of China this month, has not yet scheduled any meeting to discuss the rapidly-escalating coronavirus crisis even as the number of COVID-19 cases across the world crossed 530,000 and over 24,000 people have died due to the disease.

The number of COVID-19 cases across the globe has skyrocketed to 531,860 and a total of 24,057 people have died so far. At 85,653, the US now has the highest number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the world, surpassing China and Italy. Nearly 13,00 people have died in the US due to the disease.

So far, there are 78 confirmed coronavirus cases among UN staff worldwide.

China's presidency of the 15-nation Council will end on March 31 and no meeting is scheduled on the programme of work of the Security Council for March to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic, despite the rapidly deteriorating situation and the outbreak's dire health, security and economic consequences on nations.

A UN diplomat told PTI that "the silence of the Council on an issue impacting human security in such a profound manner reflects that it is obviously not fit for purpose for the challenges of our times."
President of the 74th session of the General Assembly Tijjani Muhammad-Bande will brief the 193 UN Member States Friday "on the challenges posed by COVID-19 to the work of the Organisation and the activities of its principal organs."