On the last day of the high-level week of the 75th session of the General Assembly, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea symbolically handed over boxes of 5,000 face coverings and protective personal equipment to the United Nations.
“I would like to reiterate the Government of the Republic of Korea’s steadfast support and solidarity with the work of the United Nations as we collectively strive to overcome this pandemic and build back better,” said Cho Hyun, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the UN.
The donation, part of the Korean National Day (3 October) celebrations, was given on behalf of the delegation of the Republic of Korea.
It was a gesture of gratitude and appreciation for all the UN essential workers who devoted their time to ensure that the multi-faceted and hybrid UN meetings operated with maximum efficiency – no small feat during these unprecedented times.
“On behalf of the United Nations, I am pleased to accept the in-kind contributions, which shall be administered by the United Nations in accordance with applicable United Nations regulations and rules, directives and policies," said Atul Khare, Under-Secretary-General for Operational Support.
Mr. Khare; Young Soo-lee, nurse in the Division of Health-Care Management and Occupational Safety and Health (DHMOSH); and Janusz Zielinski, Facilities and Commercial Activities Service, received the donations on behalf of the UN from Mr. Cho; Park Chull-joo, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the UN; and Oh Hyunjoo, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the UN.
Other Permanent Missions have joined in the effort with generous donations of their own. The UN also received protective personal equipment (PPE) from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Indonesia, Malta, Maldives, Andorra, Paraguay, and Turkey.
The donations were delivered to the UN Secretariat Building in New York on 29 October.