Newly sworn-in General Assembly President Abdulla Shahid of the Maldives emphasizes that hope is desperately needed for those billions worldwide struggling with the COVID 19 pandemic, devastation, and strife. In his first major interview, he told UN News that the General Assembly, as the UN’s most representative body, is ideally placed to give shape to that hope.
He spoke of near-universal “collective anxiety” and hopelessness, not all of which is pandemic-related, saying: “the narrative must change”, and that the General Assembly “must play a part in this”.
This moment in history calls for hope above all, he said, to demonstrate to the global population that “we are aware of their plight…are listening…and are willing to work together to overcome problems”.
And that we can find the courage to “push forward”, “vaccinate the world” and spur a greener, more inclusive, pandemic recovery.
He underscored the need to speed up our response to COVID-19, with vaccines, treatment, and equipment for all; to invest in human development, health care, nutrition, water, and education; and commit, and commit and live up to bold climate targets at the COP26 UN climate conference in Glasgow, in November.