The United Nations General Assembly is relying on a vaccine honour system for world leaders before they speak at next week’s meeting.
Presidents, premiers, monarchs and other dignitaries won’t have to show vaccination cards or other proof of inoculation. Assembly President Abdulla Shahid says they’ll simply attest to being vaccinated by swiping their ID badges, according to an AP report.
The UN has been wrestling with how to implement a New York City vaccination requirement for convention centres. Russia has criticised the policy, and the first scheduled speaker, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, says he doesn’t plan to get vaccinated anytime soon. He contracted the coronavirus in July 2020.
Next week, more than 100 heads of state and government and over 20 foreign ministers have signed up to speak in person.