UNSC to hold meeting on Covid-19 by next week or before: Council President

The UN Security Council is likely to meet for the first time by "next week or before" to discuss the coronavirus pandemic that has killed over 42,000 people globally, according to Dominican Republic Ambassador Jose Singer, the current president of the world body's top organ.

The Dominican Republic assumed the rotating presidency of the powerful 15-nation council for the month of April, taking the baton from China, a permanent and veto-welding member.

Even as confirmed coronavirus cases across the world grew exponentially, the Security Council under the presidency of China last month did not hold any discussions on the pandemic.