All diplomats attending the UN general assembly in New York next week will have to provide proof of vaccination, prompting outrage from Russia.
by Colton Salaz
World leaders are now facing a new hurdle if they want to speak before the U.N. General Assembly next week: vaccination.
According to the Associated Press, New York City officials have told the U.N. that in order to meet in person, and without masks, all the leaders present would need to be vaccinated.
This had quickly caused an outcry from at least one member nation.
This is the first time the global diplomatic summit will be held in person since the pandemic began.
General Assembly President Abdulla Shahid embraced the vaccination requirement in a letter Tuesday, calling it âan important step in our return to a fully-functional General Assembly.â
But Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia blasted the vaccine demand, saying itâs a âclearly discriminatoryâ infringement on nationsâ sovereign rights at the U.N.
It is not yet clear how the vaccination mandate will be enforced since many of the leaders who will be present received vaccines that are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration or the World Health Organization.
The most common vaccine that isnât approved is Russiaâs SputnikV. This vaccine was widely distributed throughout Latin American and Asia.
This is a ridiculous show! Of course they can provide proof – even if not vaxxed. Just a stupid show!