Health Minister emphasizes importance of global solidarity against COVID-19
Since the start of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Qatar has stressed the need for global solidarity to defeat the crisis facing the world.
The country continued leading by example as it came to the support of several nations by providing them urgent medical aid to tackle the virus.
The country’s tireless efforts have garnered international recognition, including praise from the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesusas as well as some United Nations representatives.
On a number of occasions, Qatar has emphasized the need for the international community to come together and unify efforts to combat this infectious disease.
To facilitate multilateral cooperation with a view to effectively respond to COVID-19, in May this year, Qatar joined hands with four other nations including Canada, Denmark, South Korea, and Sierra Leone to launch the Group of Friends of Solidarity for Global Health Security.
Yesterday, Qatar, together with the Group, organized a high-profile side event on ‘Protraction of the COVID-19 Crisis: Mitigating the Impacts and Protecting Future Generations,' virtually.
The event was held on the sidelines of the 75th session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly.
Her Excellency Qatar's Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari participated in the event where she emphasized the need for international solidarity to combat COVID-19.
Qatar attaches great importance to the impact of the pandemic on the most vulnerable, including women and children, she said during her speech.
This includes a deep concern for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). She touched upon the impact on educational systems which have been majorly affected by the pandemic.
“The COVID-19 pandemic is not only a global health crisis but also a humanitarian, human development and economic crisis. Robust global co-operation is essential," HE the Minister stressed.
"As we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the United Nations, COVID-19 pushes us towards effective multilateral co-operation," she said adding that “only through solidarity and strengthening international co-operation can we overcome this threat to us and enable the most vulnerable to respond, recover and build back better."
HE the Minister also drew attention to the vision of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in relation to global solidarity.
It has been "translated into Qatar’s growing support to international action on several fronts. Qatar contributed $20mn to the world vaccine alliance (Gavi), to accelerate the development and production of a vaccine for the virus," HE the Minister mentioned.
The efforts in this regard also include Qatar's allocation of $10 million for the World Health Organization (WHO) aimed at supporting WHO's efforts to develop testing equipment, treatment, and vaccine for COVID-19.
The event also saw discussions on several other themes including the impact of the COVID-19 crisis protraction on future generations, how such impact could be mitigated through joint action, the role of modern technologies, among others.
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