The U.N. Security Council on Thursday convened its first meeting to discuss responses to the coronavirus pandemic as the United States and China remain at odds over the naming of the virus.
The informal videoconference, held at the request of nine non-permanent Security Council members, became a closed-door session according to China’s preference.
Some members of the Security Council had hoped to hold a meeting on the pandemic earlier, but it was delayed due to a row between the world’s two largest economies over U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated use of the phrase “Chinese virus.”
Trump has defended his phrasing regarding the virus as the outbreak was first reported in China, while Beijing has strongly opposed the naming.
According to a conference source, participants on the Security Council are likely to have discussed how the coronavirus will impact peacekeeping missions and people in conflict-affected areas.
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