The United Nations has called for the creation of an international coalition to develop a vaccine for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

‘We need a global coalition to develop a COVID-19 vaccine, which must become available and affordable for everyone, everywhere,’ UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said.

‘It must be considered a global public good,’ he added.

Guterres urged the Security Council, last week, to stand united in the face of COVID-19.

The UN chief called on creditors for a wide suspension to pay the debts of developing countries, not only the ‘poorest countries’, warning that many countries are facing difficulty in paying their debts due to the global recession caused by the coronavirus.

To mobilise more resources, Guterres said the International Monetary Fund (IMF) should allocate new special drawing rights, a move the United States opposed. (QNA)