Global peace and security 2020
Though a generation may have felt the cruelty of a pandemic that occurred last time 102 years ago, the present crisis is first kind of an experience for the current humanity. The world was going its way, maybe at times on right way and other times on wrong way. But there was a way. There is still a way after the outbreak of coronavirus, but the means of our travel will change.
Covid-19, a game-changer
Some quite visible changes are use of mask, maintaining of social distance and keeping of hygiene. But many other changes have also taken place in our life and world. In fact, the coronavirus pandemic has put a drastic impact on global politics and international relations so far. The United Nations has said Covid-19 is going to be a game-changer for international peace and security.
UN chief recently raised concerns on social media about terrorists’ exploiting hardships caused by coronavirus pandemic to radicalize and recruit. Neo-Nazis, white supremacists, conspiracy theorists and others are firing up separatist agenda among citizens during Covid, he further said. And, he called for urgent global unity and solidarity against growing violent extremism.
The coronavirus pandemic is more than a global health crisis, said the UN Secretary-General António Guterres at a meeting. The international meeting with heads of State was one from a series of meetings, intending to improve global cooperation in the battle of terrorism and violent extremism prevailing across the world. He expressed concerns about new issues coming up with the pandemic.
Global peace and security 2020
UN chief described the coronavirus as a game-changer for international peace and security. Guterres hoped for process to be key player in promoting unity and aligning thinking on how to deal with pandemic. Also, he warned about aggravating grievances, undermining social solidity and increasing conflicts in a number of countries of the world during corona times.
Guterres also raised concerns that the crisis may contribute to the spread of terrorism and violent extremism in the world. Current supply chain disruptions, protectionism and rising nationalism are driving factors of international tensions, he said, adding, the world is seeing political unrest due to growing unemployment, food insecurity and climate change crises.
coronavirus pandemic has highlighted basic fragility of humankind as well as systemic and deep-rooted inequalities, also geopolitical challenges and security threats of the world, UN head said. Youth is feeling left out, neglected and disillusioned about goals during this confuse state the world is in, Guterres said.
Emerging vulnerabilities in crisis time
Noting about students in most parts of the world not being able to attend their schools, Guterres said, whole generation of students has faced the education disruption in corona times. Taking cue of the international economic slowdown of 2009, he said, young population is forced to experience another global recession in 2020, so early in their lives.
The Covid outbreak has exposed the menace of bioterrorism and cyber-attacks, now being critical issues. The pandemic has highlighted vulnerabilities to emerging threats such as bioterrorism and cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure, Guterres said. Severe security challenges that the world is facing cannot be addressed by any country of organization on its own.
UN head asked the world to work together in such a “crucial time”. It’s urgency for global unity and solidarity, and also reminded the world on its commitment against terrorism, he said. Earlier in July, at the UN’s Virtual Counter-Terrorism Week, the participant nations called for a new boost of commitment to multilateralism to battle against terrorism and violent extremism.
Guterres expressed shock about lack of cooperation among countries on dealing with the pandemic. UN chief highlighted national self-interest, transactional information sharing and manifestations of authoritarianism. United Nations is motivating countries to come together to work for the common goal to counter terrorism and coronavirus both. Let’s see how the nations show unity and solidarity in this crucial time.
