COVID-19 Vaccines Must Be Accessible to All Peoples, Says Nikol Pashinyan

The Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, addressing the general discussions of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly, commented on the fight against the Coronavirus.

“Esteemed President of the General Assembly, Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

This year we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, an organization born from the ashes of the Second World War. We remember the sacrifices made by our ancestors for peace and the hardships and sufferings they endured for the future of humanity.

Today, the UN General Assembly is being held for the first time in a virtual format. As inconvenient and undesirable as this format may be, this meeting demonstrates humanity's determination to continue international cooperation and showcases our commitment to the principles of the UN and multilateral cooperation.

The pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on all areas of human life. In addressing global challenges, it is crucial that all states return to effective multilateralism and international cooperation under the auspices of the UN.

We highly appreciate the primary role of the UN, particularly the World Health Organization and the UN Development Programme, in the global fight against COVID-19. We are grateful to all partner countries that supported Armenia, and we also contributed our share of assistance to our other partners. These collective efforts represent a vital manifestation of international solidarity.

Guided by the spirit of our collective commitment—not to leave anyone behind—we share the conviction that fair access to the necessary health technologies and products for combating the virus must be a global priority, and everyone, including those living in conflict zones, should have the opportunity to access means to counteract COVID-19 without hindrance or restrictions.

In the same vein, COVID-19 vaccines are a global public good and must be accessible to all peoples without discrimination. Let me reaffirm Armenia's unequivocal support for the Secretary-General's call for a global ceasefire and for UN Security Council Resolution 2532 on COVID-19, which demands an immediate and general halt to hostilities in all situations,” he stated.