"No Super-Spreader Events for COVID" US Urges Restraint in Attending UN General Assembly Summit

US Ambassador to the UN Sends Letter to All Member States Requesting Virtual Participation for Unit Events Amid Delta Variant Spread; UN "Consulting with US"

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Ahead of the 76th United Nations General Assembly to be held next month in New York, the U.S. government has requested that heads of state from various countries refrain from attending. This measure is interpreted as a response to the global spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19, including in the United States.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
[Photo by Yonhap News]

With the change in the U.S. stance, it is expected to become a significant variable affecting the attendance of heads of state, including President Moon Jae-in, at the UN General Assembly. Initially, many leaders from advanced countries were expected to attend this year's assembly.

According to diplomatic sources on the 18th (local time), Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, recently sent a letter to all 193 UN member states stating, "We need your help to ensure that the 76th UN General Assembly does not become a super-spreader event."

Ambassador Greenfield further urged, "Heads of state should consider delivering their general debate speeches via video."

She also requested that delegations visiting New York for the assembly be composed of the minimum number of personnel.

Ambassador Greenfield expressed concern that "various bilateral meetings and high-level talks held in New York during the UN General Assembly could increase risks to the local New York community and residents."

A major foreign news outlet also reported, citing diplomatic sources, that the U.S. is insisting that all meetings and side events related to this UN General Assembly be conducted virtually.

Earlier, in June, UN member states agreed that this year's General Assembly could be held in person. Following last year's 75th assembly, which was held virtually, UN member states reportedly demanded that this year's assembly be conducted face-to-face.

At that time, the U.S. position was, "We welcome the attendance of heads of state but recommend limiting the size of delegations." There was also a suggestion to replace the general debate speeches of heads of state with pre-recorded videos to reduce the number of attendees.

Compared to those earlier remarks, Ambassador Greenfield's recent comments are interpreted as a call for stricter standards.

The UN plans to hold high-level meetings on issues such as climate change, energy transition, and food shortages during this period. If the U.S. demands are followed, these events must also be held virtually.

The UN has acknowledged signs of change. On the 17th, UN spokesperson St?phane Dujarric said that they are in close discussions with the U.S. regarding the 76th UN General Assembly and that "the format of the assembly will be clearly decided soon."

The change in the U.S. position is interpreted as a concern over the spread of the Delta variant. Recently, the U.S. has been reporting over 120,000 new COVID-19 cases daily on average. Daily deaths have also exceeded 1,000.

In Manhattan, where the UN headquarters is located, 200 to 300 new cases are reported daily. Including Queens and the Bronx, the daily new cases reach about 1,000.

With vaccination rates stagnating and the Delta variant spreading rapidly, hosting the world's largest diplomatic "Olympics," the UN General Assembly, which attracts thousands of attendees, inevitably poses a significant burden.

New York City recently implemented a system requiring proof of vaccination for indoor dining, gyms, museums, and performance venues, adding to the burden. Enforcement against violations will begin next month.

Delegations visiting New York for the UN General Assembly will need to prove vaccination for meals and events, but confusion is expected regarding how visitors from abroad will verify their vaccination status.

Following the announcement of this system, the New York Auto Show, scheduled to be held in Manhattan this month, was canceled. This event was expected to attract a crowd of one million people from around the world.

The Biden administration is continuing aggressive measures to curb the spread of the Delta variant, with an announcement expected on the 18th regarding booster shots for the entire population.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.