Coronavirus: UN chief laments lack of global leadership as US-China row stalls truce resolution

Security Council has spent over a month negotiating resolution calling for humanitarian truce in conflicts around the world

Sticking point is disagreement over how it should refer to World Health Organisation, which Trump has accused of being too ‘China-centric’

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United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is seen on a video screen during a virtual climate summit in Berlin on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

Published: 3:55am, 1 May 2020Updated: 4:29am, 1 May 2020

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday lamented a lack of leadership by world powers and a divided international community in the fight against the coronavirus as he raised concern about inadequate support for poor countries.

Guterres’ remarks come after US President Donald Trump reignited his war of words with China during an interview with Reuters on Wednesday. Trump said he believes China’s handling of the pandemic is proof that Beijing “will do anything they can” to make him lose his re-election bid in November.

The new coronavirus, which causes the respiratory illness Covid-19, has so far infected some 3.2 million globally; more than 230,000 people have died. The virus first emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan late last year.

In response to questions about global leadership, Guterres told a news conference that the international community was divided when it was “more important than ever” to be united.

“There is … a disconnect between leadership and power. We see remarkable examples of leadership but they are usually not associated with power. And where we see power we sometimes do not see the necessary leadership,” Guterres said.

“I hope this will be overcome sooner rather than later,” he added.