HE Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and the Future and Chairman of the World Government Summit (WGS), stressed that strengthening global cooperation and developing opportunities for global partnerships in shaping the future is a key objective for the World Government Summit. In line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to provide a global platform for dialogue and knowledge exchange and using it to serve humanity and to create a better future for the future generations.
He said that the challenges the world is going through as a result of the spread of the novel coronavirus require the development of a forward-looking vision that benefits from the lessons of the current circumstances.
His Excellency Al Gergawi added that the World Government Summit works in partnership with governments, international organizations, experts, and decision makers around the world to unify visions about the future of vital sectors.
National unity and global solidarity are key in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, the WHO chief told a webinar organized by World Government Summit, adding that the effects of the Coronavirus crisis will be felt for decades to come.
The Virtual Health Forum, organized by the World Government Summit as part of its COVID-19 & Government online series, kicked off with a keynote address from H.E. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organization. His Excellency AbdulRahman Bin Mohammed Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, UAE; Her Excellency Lena Hallengren, Minister of Health and Social Affairs, Kingdom of Sweden; His Excellency Bent Høie, Minister of Health and Care Services, Kingdom of Norway; and Dr. David Nabarro, WHO Director General Special Envoy on COVID-19, also addressed the Virtual Health Forum, with more than 20,000 government officials, international organization representatives, high-level executives, experts, and specialists in the audience.
H.E. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organization, kicked off by offering his thanks to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, and ruler of the Emirate of Dubai, for his leadership in bringing the world together to reimagine the future.
He also lauded His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, for his generous support in donating and distributing medical supplies and equipment to countries across the globe.
Turning to the issue of COVID-19, Dr. Ghebreyesus said the Coronavirus pandemic hit at a time when the world was not prepared, resulting in a crisis on many levels – health-wise, economically, socially and even politically.
Since the 31st of December, 2019, when it received the first report of cases in China, WHO has been working day and night to coordinate the global response, provide evidence-based scientific and technical guidance, catalyze research and development and provide direct support to countries, most in need, Dr. Ghebreyesus told the seminar.
Lamenting the lack of global solidarity, the WHO chief highlighted what he said were seven areas in which the international community must work together to mitigate and prevent future pandemics – funding; data management and analytics and real-time communications; a global health emergency stockpile for medical equipment and supplies; all countries must invest in their health workforce; a coordinated effort to discover, develop and deliver effective, and fit-for-purpose tools and technologies such as vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics; universal health coverage; and national unity, and global solidarity.
“We rang the alarm bell early and often, declaring a global health emergency, our highest level of alert on the 30th of January, when there were less than hundred cases, and not outside China. We are working with countries to take a comprehensive approach, while maintaining essential services. We have brought together thousands of experts to analyze the evolving evidence and distill it .. into guidance. We have launched a large international trial to find answers.”
Dr. Ghebreyesus said WHO is working with countries to take a precautionary approach to deal with the pandemic, adding that his organization has already shipped millions of test kits around the world.
The Virtual Health Forum also hosted a high-level ministerial panel discussion, which grouped healthcare ministers from Norway, Sweden and the United Arab Emirates who shared their experiences in managing the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as their insights on building a stronger healthcare sector around the world.
His Excellency AbdulRahman Bin Mohammed Al Owais emphasized how the UAE was able to benefit from that fact that its population comprised more than 200 different nationalities by bringing people together though constant dialogue and appealing to their humanity. “This is a challenge and battle for all humanity. A wonderful chance for us to get together. Also to revise our priorities and focus on the health sector,” he added.
The World Government Summit Foundation last month launched an online series, “COVID-19 & Government”, discussing the global impact of COVID-19 and the future of government beyond this pandemic, hosting 30 global speakers, experts, and government leaders. The series aims to enhance the role of governments in responding to the new frontiers set by the novel Coronavirus and shape the future of governments in the “post-Coronavirus” era by analyzing the latest developments and effects of the virus on governments worldwide. The COVID-19 & Government” online series is held remotely to review the latest developments related to Coronavirus and discuss their effects on government work in 7 vital sectors, namely: education, healthcare, economy, security, infrastructure, governance and leadership.
