World leaders will send videos instead of physically gathering at the United Nations in September due to the coronavirus pandemic, the General Assembly decided on Wednesday, a move that paves the way for people wary of traveling to the United States - like North Korean ruler Kim Jong Un - to participate. The annual high-level meeting had been shaping up to be a week-long celebration of the 75th anniversary of the world body, but U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres suggested in May that leaders send video statements due to likely travel issues. The 193-member General Assembly agreed on Wednesday to the special measures. As U.N. host country the United States agreed to grant entry to leaders and diplomats from all U.N. member states. North Korea’s U.N. mission did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether Kim would send a video statement for this year’s high-level meeting.

Source: Standard Digital July 23, 2020 06:11 UTC