Press Conference: Secretary General at WHO
/
3:10
/
MP4
/
233.8 MB

Edited News , Press Conferences | WHO

Press Conference: Secretary General at WHO

UN Chief urges countries to ‘do everything’ against COVID-19, thanks China’s people for sacrifice

While the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the COVID-19 outbreak should not be described as a pandemic because it is not spreading uncontrollably, UN Secretary-General on Monday urged all countries to “do everything” to contain the disease.

“I think it’s important to say that all countries - and this is now a problem that is affecting many countries in the world – all countries must do everything to be prepared and all countries must do everything respecting naturally the principle of non-discrimination, without stigmatization, respecting human rights; doing everything that they can to contain the disease,” said António Guterres.

Although it was still possible to contain the disease “if some fail, if some do not do everything that is needed, this can still become out of control with dramatic consequences for global health and the global economy”, he warned.

Earlier, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told journalists that while a “sudden increase” in new cases outside China was very concerning, what was most needed was containment, not scaremongering.

As of 6am Geneva time on Monday, China reported a total of 77,362 cases of COVID-19, including 2,618 deaths, he said.

Outside China, “there are now 2074 cases in 28 countries, and 23 deaths...The sudden increases of cases in Italy, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Korea are deeply concerning,” he said.

In the past 24 hours, China reported 416 new confirmed cases, and 150 deaths, Dr Tedros noted, adding that the WHO team of experts which visited China had found that the epidemic “peaked and plateaued” between 23 January and 2 February “and has been declining steadily since then”.

Speaking in Geneva at WHO headquarters, Mr Guterres reiterated his “strong appeal” to countries “to assume their responsibilities and knowing that they can fully count on WHO to support them in that effort”.

On the need to support the UN health agency’s $675 million appeal to stop coronavirus from spreading further, Mr Guterres insisted that “if there is something stupid to do in today’s world, it is to not fully fund WHO appeals. Because WHO appeals are vital to support Member States to avoid these tragic diseases to become a global nightmare.”

Answering a reporter’s question in French, he said: ”I can tell you that the information I received from the WHO after the (experts’) visit to China, is that since the beginning of February, the number of cases is starting to fall. I hope that this situation continues in a constant way, and my message to all those who now in China are having to go without a lot of things that are part of normal life, is a message of gratitude – because these are sacrifices that have been made by people who’ve been deprived of all the positive things of life that we enjoy. Those who’ve been deprived of those things to avoid the virus spreading are in the process of doing a great service for humanity.”

  1. Medium shot: exterior at the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva showing António Guterres, UN Secretary-General, approaching and hugging WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
  2. Medium shot: Mr Guterres walks with Dr Tedros and team through WHO lobby.
  3. Close up: Mr Guterres shown listening to Dr Tedros and greeting well-wishers (off camera) team through WHO lobby.
  4. Wide shot: Mr Guterres walking through WHO lobby flanked by onlookers; journalists and photographers.
  5. SOUNDBITE (EN) — António Guterres, UN Secretary-General: “I think it’s important to say that all countries - and this is now a problem that is affecting many countries in the world – all countries must do everything to be prepared and all countries must do everything respecting naturally the principle of non-discrimination, without stigmatization, respecting human rights; doing everything that they can to contain the disease.”
  6. Medium shot: Mr Guterres arriving for WHO press conference, Dr Tedros behind.
  7. SOUNDBITE (EN) — António Guterres, UN Secretary-General: “The disease, it’s still possible to be contained, but if some fail, if some do not do everything that is needed, this can still become out of control with dramatic consequences for global health and the global economy.”
  8. Medium shot: Press conference participants.
  9. SOUNDBITE (EN) — António Guterres, UN Secretary-General: “So, my strong appeal is to all countries to assume their responsibilities and knowing that they can fully count on WHO to support them in that effort.”
  10. Close-up: partly obscured TV camera operator, Mr Guterres and participants.
  11. SOUNDBITE (EN) — António Guterres, UN Secretary-General: “If there is something stupid to do in today’s world, it is to not fully fund WHO appeals. Because WHO appeals are vital to support Member States to avoid these tragic diseases to become a global nightmare.”
  12. Medium shot, Mr Guterres inspecting a wall-mounted TV screen displaying polio eradication information.
  13. Close-up, Mr Guterres and Dr Tedros shown listening to an unnamed speaker.
  14. SOUNDBITE (FR) — SOUNDBITE (EN) — António Guterres, UN Secretary-General: « Je tiens à vous transmettre que l’information que j’ai obtenu de l’organisation mondiale de la santé d’après la visite récemment faite en Chine, c’est que depuis le commencement du mois de février, le nombre de cas est en train de baisser. J’espère que cette indication puisse être maintenue, d’une façon continuée, et mon message à tous ceux qui maintenant en Chine sont privés de beaucoup des aspects d’une vie normale, c’est un message de gratitude, parce que ce sont les sacrifices de ceux qui sont privés de tous les aspects positifs de la vie dont nous jouissons, ceux qui sont privés de ça pour éviter que la maladie se propage, sont en train de rendre service à l’humanité. »
  15. Medium shot: Mr Guterres and Dr Tedros shown chatting with an unnamed speaker, all are looking at a wall-mounted TV displaying Ebola virus outbreak data from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
  16. Close up: Mr. Guterres, Dr Tedros and other speakers shown looking out of shot while unnamed speaker gives presentation on Ebola virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
  17. Medium shot: Mr Guterres shown listening to information on Ebola virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Similar Stories

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Thameen Al Kheetan on Syria

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Thameen Al Kheetan on Syria ENG FRA

The appointment on Thursday of Karla Quintana as head of the Independent Institution on Missing Persons in the Syrian Arab Republic is a key development after nearly a year and a half of work by the UN Human Rights Office supporting the institution’s launch. 

Middle East crisis updates - IOM, OHCHR, UNICEF, UNRWA, WHO 20 December 2024

1

1

1

Edited News | IOM , UNICEF , UNRWA , WHO

Middle East crisis updates - IOM, OHCHR, UNICEF, UNRWA, WHO 20 December 2024 ENG FRA

The head of the UN migration agency stressed on Friday that Syria is in no position to take back millions of Syrians following the fall of the Assad regime, while there is an urgent need to “re-evaluate” sanctions impacting the war-ravaged country.

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 20 December 2024

1

1

1

Press Conferences | OHCHR , UNHCR , WHO , UNICEF , UNRWA , OHCHR

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 20 December 2024 ENG FRA

Alessandra Vellucci, Director of the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, chaired a hybrid briefing, which was attended by the Director-General of the International Organization for Migration, representatives and spokespersons of the World Health Organization, the United Nations Human Rights, the United Nations Children’s Fund, United Nations Relief and Works Agency, the United Nations Refugee Agency, and the International Labour Organization.

Press Conference: IOM Director General Amy Pope on Syria - 20 December 2024

1

1

1

Press Conferences | IOM

Press Conference: IOM Director General Amy Pope on Syria - 20 December 2024 ENG FRA

Amy Pope, IOM Director General, briefs the Geneva press corps on her recent mission to Syria.

Syria update IIIM - UNHCR 17 December 2024

1

1

1

Edited News | IIIM , UNHCR

Syria update IIIM - UNHCR 17 December 2024 ENG FRA

Syria: ‘Key priority’ is to preserve evidence of crimes – UN investigators

In Syria, new access to evidence of horrific human rights violations means that accountability may be closer than ever – if only proof can be preserved, a top UN investigator said on Tuesday.

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 17 December 2024

1

1

1

Press Conferences | FAO , UNHCR , WHO , WOAH

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 17 December 2024 ENG FRA

Alessandra Vellucci, Director of the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, chaired a hybrid briefing, which was attended by the Head of the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism Investigating Serious Crimes in Syria, representatives and spokespersons of the United Nations Refugee Agency, the World Health Organization, the World Organization for Animal Health, the Food and Agriculture Organization, and the World Meteorological Organization.

IIIM Press Conference: Robert Petit on Syria - 17 December 2024

1

1

1

Press Conferences | IIIM

IIIM Press Conference: Robert Petit on Syria - 17 December 2024 ENG FRA

Robert Petit, Head of IIIM: opportunities and challenges for justice in Syria in the wake of current events.

Syria prisoners and missing – OSE, ICRC, UNHCR 13 December 2024

1

1

1

Edited News | OSE , ICRC , UNHCR

Syria prisoners and missing – OSE, ICRC, UNHCR 13 December 2024 ENG FRA

Syria: UN and partners urge action to preserve evidence of prison atrocities, stabilize country

Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria five days ago, hundreds of people have rushed to Saydnaya prison, desperate to find loved ones. Disturbing images from the prison and other detention centers have since surfaced, exposing the “unimaginable barbarity Syrians have endured for years,” said Jenifer Fenton, spokesperson for the UN special envoy for Syria, on Friday. 

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 13 December 2024

1

1

1

Press Conferences | OSE , UNHCR , ICRC , UNRWA , HRC , ILO , WHO

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 13 December 2024 ENG FRA

Rolando Gómez, Chief of the Press and External Relations Section of the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, chaired a hybrid briefing, which was attended by the representatives and spokespersons of the Office of the Special Envoy for Syria, the United Nations Refugee Agency, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, the International Labour Organization, the World Health Organization, the Human Rights Council, and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Gaza humanitarian update - UNRWA

1

1

2

Edited News | UNRWA

Gaza humanitarian update - UNRWA ENG FRA

Gaza: “Sickening normalisation” of suffering, amid attacks on people and aid convoys
Ongoing military operations by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) in Gaza continue to devastate Palestinian children and families, with mounting casualties and a critical lack of humanitarian aid for the desperate population.
“Local media reporting here that last night, 30 people were killed in this area in strikes” said a senior emergency officer with the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), Louise Wateridge, speaking to reporters in Geneva from central Gaza.

OHCHR Press Conference: Human Rights in Gaza and OPT - 11 December 2024

2

1

2

Press Conferences , Edited News | OHCHR

OHCHR Press Conference: Human Rights in Gaza and OPT - 11 December 2024 ENG FRA

Rights experts call for end to impunity for Israel’s violations of international law

Four independent human rights experts have jointly called for the international community to sanction Israel’s conduct of hostilities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory as well as in the wider Middle East region - including in Syria, Lebanon and Iran. They also called for the restoration of trust in the international justice system through the abandonment of “extreme interpretations” and “double standards” in the application of the universal norms regulating the conduct of war. 

Syria humanitarian update OCHA - UNHCR

1

1

1

Edited News | OCHA , UNHCR

Syria humanitarian update OCHA - UNHCR ENG FRA

Syria: needs continue to grow amid highly uncertain situation, say aid teams

The historic power shift in Syria and the still volatile situation two days after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime have increased humanitarian needs in a country where nearly 17 million people, including millions of internally displaced, already depended on humanitarian aid before the recent events, UN aid teams said on Tuesday.