G-20: Saudi Arabia calls for coordinated response to combat COVID-19 pandemic

King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia yesterday called for an effective and coordinated response to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and restore confidence in the global economy.

In his opening remarks to the world leaders at the Extraordinary G-20 Virtual Summit yesterday, King Salman said that they are carrying out their responsibilities as the leaders of the world’s largest economies and taking firm measures on various fronts in view of the challenge in the form of COVID-19. He said, this human crisis requires a global response. The world counts on us to come together and cooperate in order to face this challenge.

Stressing on the impact caused by the Novel Coronavirus, King Salman said, the pandemic has spread to reach the global economy, financial markets, trade, and global supply chains, hampering growth and development and reversing the gains accomplished in the previous years.

Reaffirming support for the World Health Organization in coordinating the



efforts to counter this pandemic, the Saudi ruler said that G-20  must send a strong signal to restore confidence in the global economy by resuming, as soon as possible, the normal flow of goods and services, especially vital medical supplies. He said, It is their responsibility to extend a helping hand to developing countries and least developed countries to enable them to build their capacities and improve their infrastructure to overcome this crisis and its repercussions.

The King expressed faith in the ability of the G-20 which has previously proven its effectiveness in mitigating the severity of the global financial crisis and its ability to overcome it.

Saudi Arabia which is in chair called for an Extraordinary G-20 Virtual Summit to advance a coordinated response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its human and economic implications.Besides the G-20 leaders, international and regional organizations are also participating in this virtual summit.