Topic:
Country: Italy
Delegate Name: Sophia Mahajerin
COVID-19 has had a major impact on the entire world. Originating in China, COVID-19 infected a tremendous number of Italian citizens, with 26,257,548 reported cases, resulting in 192,554 deaths. Globally, however, there have been 771,820,937 confirmed cases, and 6,978,175 deaths, according to the World Health Organization. The magnitude of this pandemic necessitates a global response. Italy has been quite negatively affected by this virus, with an especially damaged economy that was impacted more than other European countries. The United Nations has addressed the pandemic through three main plans- the Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan to address immediate health needs, the Global Humanitarian Response Plan to ease the impacts in the 50 most vulnerable countries, and the UN framework for the immediate socio-economic response to deliver rapid recovery.
Italy recognizes the detrimental impact COVID-19 has had on citizens both domestic and abroad. Italy is one of the countries that was hit the hardest by COVID-19, being one of the first European countries to experience the pandemic. 26,257,548 cases were reported in Italy overall. Italy underwent a lockdown of the entire country as an effect of the first outbreak in 2020. With progress in pandemic control, those original travel restrictions have since been lifted. The National Library of Medicine says that even though COVID-19 policies were decided at the national level, the Italian provinces participated in roundtables with the central government during policy decision-making. Italy is a part of the United Nations, World Health Organization (WHO), North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)/ World Trade Organization (WTO), Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and the Council of Europe, all of which have addressed this global issue. Through their involvement with the World Health Organization, Italy is supporting their COVID-19 prevention plan. WHO plans to provide global coordination and member state support on vaccine safety monitoring. WHO is also working to improve global capacity, and access to oxygen production, distribution, and supply to patients.
The Italian Republic proposes the implementation of effective healthcare systems throughout the international community. Resources should be available to anybody, anywhere. Poorer countries should be assisted by wealthier countries who are willing to fund other countries’ healthcare systems and hospitals. Treatments like vaccinations should be an option for every country, and every citizen, as pandemics like COVID-19 are global issues. We would like to see an overall increase of vaccination rates globally. Italy will commit to helping fund resources for the effective delivery of pandemic preparedness in other countries. A pandemic by definition is a global event, that therefore requires a global response, which is why Italy will commit to working with others, to address any future worldwide health crisis.
