US urges video-link participation in upcoming UN summit

As precaution amid ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, US envoy to UN requests delegations not attend annual summit in-person

By Betul Yuruk

UNITED NATIONS (AA) - The US urged world leaders to attend the 76th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), set for Sept. 21, via video link instead of traveling to New York in person, amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We need your help to prevent UNGA 76 High-Level Week from being a super-spreader event," US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield wrote in a letter to her counterparts in the 193-member world body.

"Heads of delegation should consider delivering their statements to the U.N. General Assembly's General Debate by video. If delegations choose to travel to New York ... we request delegations bring the minimum number of travelers necessary," she said.

The UNGA meetings, which is the largest diplomacy forum in the world that brings together world leaders, thousands of diplomats, and non-governmental organizations annually, were held online last year due to the pandemic.

*Writing by Zehra Nur Duz

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