Statement by First Deputy Permanent Representative Dmitry Polyanskiy at an open VTC of UNSC members "Maintenance of international peace and security: Follow-up on the implementation of resolution 2532 (2020)"
Mr. President,
We thank our today’s briefers for the presented information.
Russia was among the first to support the call of UN Secretary-General A.Guterres to a global ceasefire of 23 March 2020, and we are convinced that UNSC resolution 2532 must be strictly observed. We continuously point out the need to promptly stop armed action and introduce a humanitarian pause in conflict zones, which, however, should not apply to operations against internationally recognized terrorist groups.
Unfortunately, full-fledged implementation of the resolution is stalling. In particular, fierce clashes continue in various hotspots around the globe, some of them being fueled from the outside. Some terrorist groups seek to benefit from the current situations in order to win advantage on the ground.
It must be duly noted that the ceasefire is not the only thing that resolution 2532 calls for. It also supports the appeal of the Secretary-General to lift illegal unilateral sanctions that limit the potential of countries (especially the developing and the least developed) to respond to virus-related challenges and its socio-economic consequences.
We find it disappointing that a particular group of states remains committed to illegitimate and inhumane unilateral restrictions, imposed by sidestepping the Security Council. In this regard, we remind of the initiative proposed by the President of Russia to create “green corridors”, free from trade wars and sanctions, that would be used to deliver basic goods and medicines to the countries in need.
Mr. President,
We commend professionalism of UN peacekeepers who honorably perform their duties even in harsh conditions. It is positive that “Blue Helmets” keep providing comprehensive support to host governments in their efforts to counter the pandemic.
Today as never before it is important to ensure uninterrupted supply of humanitarian assistance to most vulnerable groups of population. Such activity must proceed from full respect for sovereignty of recipient states and must not be furnished by any pre-conditions, which means it must strictly observe UN guiding principles of humanitarian assistance and UNGA resolution 46/182. In this context, we are concerned by ever more frequent steps taken to blot out these fundamental provisions from resolutions that renew mandates of UN peacekeeping operations.
We share the ideas of importance of inclusive, comprehensive, and global response to the coronavirus pandemic under the leading role of the United Nations that are enshrined in the resolution. Unconditional support for the World Health Organizations as the leading mechanism in mobilizing states’ efforts against COVID-19 remains highly relevant.
On our part, Russia will continue contributing to international efforts countering the coronavirus. At this track, we cooperate with the WHO, WFP, UNDP and other organizations and mechanisms.
As it is known, Russia created and registered the first in the world vaccine against the coronavirus “Sputnik-V”, which makes it possible for us to provide bilateral assistance to the countries in need. In December 2020, our country started mass vaccination against COVID-19. President V.Putin's proposal to provide the Russian vaccine to UN personnel at no charge remains on the table.
We are ready for productive cooperation with all interested partners in order to counter the pandemic and prevent vaccine-related discrimination.
Thank you.
