To support the UN Secretary-General’s call for a global ceasefire to help fight COVID-19, Ban Ki-moon, former UN Secretary-General and Deputy Chair of The Elders said:

“COVID-19 is a grave threat to all humanity, but people living in conflict zones are particularly vulnerable to its ravages. This is why I support UN Secretary-General António Guterres in his call for a global ceasefire, and urge the Security Council to endorse this proposal by passing a Resolution. 

The Council set a good precedent during the Ebola crisis by declaring that to be a serious threat to international peace and security. COVID-19 is an even bigger threat, and demands even greater, sustained leadership from the Council. 

This public health crisis should not be politicised – it would be unforgivable if the narrow and partisan interests of some Permanent Members undermine efforts to build a global consensus for peace at this time of existential crisis. If conflicts around the world are made worse by disease, depression and famine, all of us will lose.”

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