42nd Plenary Meeting: Strengthening of the Coordination of Humanitarian and Disaster Relief Assistance of the United Nations, including Special Economic Assistance (Closing)

– As delivered –

Statement by H.E. Volkan Bozkir, President of the 75th Session of the United Nations General Assembly

11 December 2020

Excellencies,

I welcome your contributions to this debate to strengthen the Coordination of Humanitarian and Disaster Relief Assistance of the United Nations, including Special Economic Assistance.

After listening to your insightful statements, it is abundantly clear that 75 years after the creation of the United Nations, the humanitarian assistance provided by the UN is more essential than ever.

I would like to express my deep appreciation to all UN Agencies and their extremely dedicated staff, particularly those working in the humanitarian sphere, namely OCHA, UNICEF, and WFP among others. I also commend the work of local, national and international humanitarian aid and assistance organizations; whose work is indispensable for the continued delivery of humanitarian aid to those who desperately need it.    

Excellencies, the coronavirus pandemic has made the needs of the most vulnerable more acute. Our efforts to coordinate humanitarian assistance can and will save lives and help to protect those in need.