Coronavirus: Sheikh Mohammed says Covid-19 highlights need for world to unite

The Vice President and Ruler of Dubai stressed that international co-operation had never been more crucial during United Nations speech

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, has stressed the need for nations to work together in light of the wide-ranging impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Courtesy: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid TwitterShow less

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said the rise of Covid-19 has highlighted the crucial need for the world to come together to overcome adversity.

The Vice President and Ruler of Dubai cautioned that no nation can stand alone in the face of the wide-ranging challenges prompted by the pandemic.

During his speech at a meeting to mark the 75th anniversary of the United Nations, he said the global health crisis has demonstrated that international co-operation "is a must".

The UAE has worked side by side with other countries in recent months to provide key investment to those parts of the world hit hardest by the pandemic, develop air-corridor strategies to open up global travel and to press ahead with trials on a Covid-19 vaccination.

A teacher conducts online classes from an empty classroom at the Santa Maria school in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Getty Images

A health worker collects a nasal swab sample from a resident in Mumbai as India's death toll rom Covid-19 passed 100,000 on October 3, 2020. AFP

Smoke envelops Ramananda Sarkar, 43, as he cremates bodies of Covid-19 victims in Gauhati, India. AP Photo

South Korean police officers patrol in Seoul wearing face masks and face shields to protect against the spread of the coronavirus. AP Photo

Mazatlan FC's coach Francisco Palencia watches his team play an away match against Leon in Guanajuato state, Mexico. AFP

A woman in Quezon city, Philippines reads a newspaper with a report on US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania contracting coronavirus on the front page. AP Photo

A hospital worker attends to a patient in an intensive care unit for people with Covid-19 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. AP Photo

A man wearing a mask walks past graffiti depicting a globe in the Orcasitas neighbourhood of the Spanish capital Madrid. AP Photo

People wearing masks walk on a street in downtown Los Angeles, California. AFP

A worker disinfects the seats of a cinema in Cali that reopened following the easing of coronavirus restrictions by the Colombian government. AFP

People enjoy Macumba beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Reuters

The UAE hosted a Phase-3 trial for a Chinese vaccine which involved 31,000 volunteers in the Emirates, Bahrain and Jordan.

The vaccine has since been administered to frontline medical workers, senior officials and some members of the Cabinet, after it received approval from the UAE Government in September for limited use.

Sheikh Mohammed himself received China's Sinopharm vaccine.

"All nations and peoples realise that true strength and real prosperity comes via co-operation and coordination," said Sheikh Mohammed.

"Our strength lies in our diversity and our solidarity.

"We believe that there is no future for anyone without co-operating with the other, and that no nation can isolate itself from the rest of the world.

"This crisis has shown that our destiny is one and our co-operation is a must."

Sheikh Mohammed looked forward to Expo 2020 Dubai, which was delayed by one year due to Covid-19.

He pledged that  "Dubai and the UAE will dazzle the world" when the Middle East hosts the international event for the first time.

Sheikh Mohammed said the UAE is striving to make continued progress in a range of fields, from empowering women and combatting climate change to encouraging sustainable development.