General Assembly General Assembly

Statement by Ambassador Asoke Kumar Mukerji, Permanent Representative of India on the adoption of the resolution on ‘Measures to Contain and Combat the Recent Ebola Outbreak in West Africa’  in the UN General Assembly on 19th  September 2014

 

Mr. President,

1. We thank you for convening this meeting. We thank you for your initiative on the UNGA Resolution which all 193 Member States of the UN have adopted unanimously today. We salute you for the alacrity with which you have taken this initiative.  Even in your first few days in the Office, Mr. President, you meet the high expectations and confidence we have reposed in you.

 

2. The outbreak of the Ebola virus may be occurring in West Africa.  It is, however, a matter of grave concern for my country and for all of us who are members of the United Nations.  We are united today by our common responsibility. We pray for all those affected by this virus. We commit ourselves to working together with our partners to finding a cure for this disease.

 

3. The needs of the affected countries are large.  They include an urgent requirement for funds, transportation, doctors, health services, medical supplies and social mobilization.  The affected countries obviously do not themselves have the wherewithal to meet all these requirements.

 

4. My Government has provided medicines and financial assistance to the Governments of the Republic of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.  We have also made an additional financial contribution to WHO, specifically earmarked for addressing the Ebola virus outbreak.

 

5.  India has available troops in the UNMIL peacekeeping operations, including an all female Formed Police Unit. Apart from the maintenance of law and order, they will do whatever is asked from them by the UNMIL leadership as part of the UN system’s response to the outbreak.

 

6. India has deep rooted and historical connections with West Africa.  There are 45,000 Indian nationals living in that part of the continent.  We are therefore together with the people of West Africa at this time of crisis.

 

7. We commend the UN Secretary General and you, Mr. President, for your leadership. The coordinating role of the United Nations General Assembly, which consists of all the Members of the United Nations, is central to responding to the request by the Governments of the affected countries.  We reiterate our continued support to our partners in West Africa, both bilaterally and through the United Nations, at this hour of need.

 

Thank you.

 

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