On the evening of March 26, Beijing time, a "special summit" was held in a "special period" and came into people's sight in a "special way." The leaders of the Group of Twenty (G20) collectively "go online" and "gather together" in the form of video to discuss the "epidemic".
The new crown pneumonia epidemic is spreading globally. According to the latest data released by Johns Hopkins University in the United States, as of now, the number of confirmed cases of new crown pneumonia in the world has exceeded 530,000 and the death toll has exceeded 20,000. The WHO states that outbreaks have occurred in nearly 200 countries and regions, including all members of the G20.
The G20 Leaders Special Summit on New Coronary Pneumonia was held in this context to promote a global coordinated response to the new crown pneumonia epidemic and its impact on the economy and society. This is the first time in the history of G20 to hold a leader video summit.
What did the leaders say in response to the war?
Chinese President Xi Jinping:
Major infectious diseases are the enemy of all humankind. The new crown pneumonia epidemic is spreading globally, posing a huge threat to people's lives and health, and a huge challenge to global public health security. The situation is worrying. At present, what the international community needs most is firm confidence, concerted efforts, and united response, comprehensive strengthening of international cooperation, a strong joint effort to overcome the epidemic, and work together to win this human struggle against major infectious diseases.
King Salman of Saudi Arabia:
We convened this meeting because we, as the leaders of the world's largest economies, have a responsibility to respond to this epidemic, which requires us to take firm measures at all levels, because the epidemic will continue to cause loss of life and suffering in many countries.
Russian President Putin:
The joint efforts of all G20 countries will accelerate the development of vaccines. The current crisis will inevitably leave a deep stroke in global development, and for a long time. Therefore, of course, we cannot "sweep the snow in front of our own homes."
US President Trump:
The United States is working with friends and partners around the world to stop the spread of the virus. We discussed the importance of all countries sharing information and data immediately, and we have done so to a large extent, but we can do more.
Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau:
One thing is clear. We can only overcome the epidemic if we act together as a global community. We will make every effort. This means ensuring that the World Health Organization and our public health agencies have the resources they need; it also means co-developing vaccines, finding treatments, and increasing virus testing.
Italian Prime Minister Conte:
In this crisis, the G20 countries should show the greatest degree of coordination in health and economics, and they should cooperate in research, treatment and sanitary appliances.
British Prime Minister Johnson:
The United Kingdom has provided an additional £ 210 million to the CEPI, which supports vaccine development. G20 countries and governments around the world stepped up their actions to help defeat the new coronavirus.
Picture source: CCTV News Client
German Chancellor Angela Merkel:
EU leaders are determined to work together to meet the challenge of the new crown pneumonia epidemic. Now is not the time to lift the various epidemic prevention measures that limit people's social life. The number of confirmed patients in Germany doubles every four to five days. This rate must be significantly slowed.
French President Macron:
Coordinated action will be taken and "a strong initiative" will be launched to help African countries respond to the crisis.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe:
In order to overcome the epidemic, the wisdom of official and private medical institutions from all over the world should be gathered to rapidly advance the development of therapeutic drugs.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in:
A large number of people are tested for viruses, and the path of infection is tracked; isolated patients and close contacts are quarantined and travel is prohibited. South Korea believes that "this is the best way to curb the spread of infection and reduce the mortality rate."
Indian Prime Minister Modi:
The leaders of the G20 have cooperated to reduce the economic difficulties caused by the new crown virus. Establish global and coordinated measures to respond to the new crown pneumonia epidemic. It is necessary to share medical research information freely and publicly.
Australian Prime Minister Morrison:
The joint efforts of countries can accelerate research and discovery of vaccines and antiviral drugs. We will cooperate in developing vaccines. We are closing the border to stop the spread of the coronavirus, but we are committed to sharing ideas and collaborating on research.
Indonesian President Joko:
The G20 must promote unity and cooperation in the world when preventing and controlling epidemics, and must not allow epidemics in the world to undermine partnerships and cooperation that have been established for many years. The G-20 must actively work with the World Health Organization to develop drugs against the new crown pneumonia virus at an early date.
South African President Ramaphosa:
The new crown pneumonia virus is spreading all over the world, and we must unite to fight this common enemy. As a whole, the African continent needs to join hands to fight the spread of the epidemic, because no country can stand alone in this "battle".
Turkish President Erdogan:
Countries around the world should act quickly to curb the pandemic of the new crown virus. The G20 countries must play a leading role in fighting the epidemic, take responsibility, and demonstrate global cooperation.
Mexican President Lopez:
After the new crown pneumonia epidemic, the poor must be the focus of economic recovery plans.
Picture source: CCTV News Client
In addition to the G20 member leaders, leaders of Spain, Jordan, Singapore and Switzerland, as well as heads of international organizations and regional organizations such as the United Nations, WHO, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, etc. were also invited to the meeting. They also expressed suggestions and opinions on related topics at the summit, and some have not seen public reports for the time being.
After the meeting, the summit issued the "G20 Leaders' Special Summit Statement on New Coronary Pneumonia," emphasizing that the epidemic has no borders, and members of the G20 should unite to deal with the threat of the epidemic.
The statement states that the G20 is committed to taking all necessary public health measures to secure adequate funding to curb the pandemic in order to protect the people, especially the most vulnerable.
The G20 will work to ensure the normal cross-border flow of important medical supplies, key agricultural products and other goods and services, and work to address the disruption of global supply chains to safeguard the health and well-being of all humankind.