Ambassador Cherith Norman Chalet
Acting Deputy Permanent Representative
U.S. Mission to the United Nations
New York, New York
September 3, 2020
AS DELIVERED
Thank you, Chair.
We would like to clarify our views on several elements in the text and state for the record our dissociation from consensus on one paragraph.
The United States dissociates from PP6 and OP6 and does not concur with the references to the World Health Organization in this Inter-Parliamentary Union resolution.
While the United States supports access to safe, effective, affordable and quality essential medicines, vaccines, testing and diagnostics, personal protective equipment and medical equipment for addressing COVID-19, that access should not undermine incentives for innovation.
The United States objects to the language calling for continued and enhanced cooperation in supporting Governments in facilitating of “the orderly, safe, regular, and responsible migration and mobility of people.” The resolution is silent on whether such movements are consistent with national immigration laws, nor does it advocate for the need of such movements to be in accordance with law. The way we talk about crossing international borders should reflect the centrality of law.
Regarding our position on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, we raised our concerns in our Global Explanation of Position delivered on November 21, 2019.
The United States submitted formal notification of its withdrawal from the Paris Agreement to the United Nations on November 4, 2019. The withdrawal will take effect one year from the delivery of the notification. Therefore, references to the Paris Agreement and climate change are without prejudice to U.S. positions.
We request that these concerns be reflected in the record for this meeting and for this resolution.
Thank you.
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