Singapore and 12 other countries pledge to keep global trade and travel links amid COVID-19 pandemic
19 April, 2020
The foreign ministers of 13 countries, including Singapore, have focused on maintaining essential global links in areas such as trade and travel, to mimimise the disruption from COVID-19 and facilitate financial recovery.
Participating countries held a teleconference on Friday (Apr 17) as part of the Ministerial Coordination Group on COVID-19 convened by Canada. The group also contains Brazil, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, South Korea, Turkey and the uk.
In a declaration issued after the teleconference, the group noted the value of maintaining air, land and marine transportation links, together with supply chain connectivity.
This is to facilitate the return home of travellers who could be stranded, ensure the flow of goods, plus the distribution of personal protective equipment and medicine.
The foreign ministers pledged to promote and protect free trade, and agreed that emergency measures to tackle COVID-19 should be targeted, proportionate, transparent and temporary, and they usually do not create unnecessary barriers to trade or disruption to global supply chains.
In addition they acknowledged the critical role of the scientific community in providing guidance to governments in managing the COVID-19 pandemic.
In urging other countries to adopt a similar approach, the declaration said: "As the world manages the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, it really is vital that we interact to save lots of lives and livelihoods. Global cooperation is essential to mitigate the unprecedented disruption to the global economy, trade, and travel.
"We must endeavour to provide a solid and coordinated global health response including creating a vaccine and relevant treatments also to identify best practices to emerge from the crisis as a stronger, more interconnected world."
Source: www.channelnewsasia.com
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