The humanitarian Call received record support from 171 countries from all regional groups, representing nearly 90% of the UN membership. This is a real diplomatic achievement that Morocco has made by uniting almost all UN members, from all continents and all levels of development, to address the impact and negative effects of this pandemic on humanitarian work and people living in humanitarian crises.

This Call is inspired by the humanist values and humanitarian principles that have always guided Moroccan diplomacy, under the impetus of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.

It also comes in the wake of His Majesty the King's concern for brotherly African countries, particularly the Royal proposal to launch an initiative by African heads of State to establish an operational framework to support the countries of the continent in their various phases of managing the pandemic.

It further involves the medical aid sent, on the High Instructions of His Majesty the King, to many African countries, through an air bridge, in order to back them in their efforts to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.

This Call, which is the culmination of the proceedings of the ECOSOC Humanitarian Affairs Segment, has been sent by Ambassador Hilale, together with the list of 171 countries that supported it, to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, and president of the General Assembly, Tijjani Muhammad-Bande.

During the presentation of the Call, ambassador Hilale stressed that it comes at a crucial time, when the humanitarian needs related to Covid-19 are increasing dramatically and many countries, especially the poorest and those affected by humanitarian crises, need to prepare for an increase in its impact.

The Moroccan diplomat said it is not a simple document on the Covid-19 pandemic, but "a call to action" because the international community "must act now".

In this regard, ambassador Hilale said that the Call clearly underlines the imperative of a commitment to "act with urgency and determination to respond to this crisis" and to "take steps now to respond with urgency and determination to address humanitarian needs and to prevent and mitigate the devastating humanitarian effects of this pandemic", emphasizing the importance of "a concerted and coordinated global response based on unity, solidarity and international cooperation and effective multilateralism".

Ambassador Hilale also commended the strong commitment and leadership of the UN Secretary-General in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, including his Call for an immediate global ceasefire, widely supported by member States, as well as his global humanitarian response Plan.