A Global Forum for Cooperation in Health Security
A global platform aimed at strengthening the United Nations' response to health security issues has been launched at the proposal of South Korea, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on May 14.
The South Korean government held a video conference to launch the “UN Group of Friends of Solidarity for Global Health Security” on May 12 (New York time), and discussed future plans for its activities with the participating countries.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has led the establishment of the Group of Friends, with the ROK Permanent Mission to the UN playing a central role, in order to create a forum for free discussions and stronger cooperation on health security issues, including COVID-19, within the U.N., on the basis of the international community’s trust in the ROK’s exemplary response to COVID-19.
The group will be co-chaired by South Korea, Canada, the Kingdom of Denmark, the State of Qatar, and the Republic of Sierra Leone, and be operated as an open-ended group where other UN member states can participate freely.
In her welcoming remarks, Minister Kang stressed that action-oriented and proper comprehensive response is important to tackle global infectious diseases, including COVID-19, and expressed hope that the Group of Friends of Solidarity for Global Health Security will become an effective platform for multilateral cooperation where the U.N. can explore measures for such response.
The foreign ministers of other co-chairs commended the ROK’s leadership in launching the Group of Friends, and expressed their willingness to contribute actively to the international community’s efforts to strengthen health security, including COVID-19 response, according to the ministry.
The Group of Friends is expected to serve as an important platform for seeking ways to promote human security based on solidarity and cooperation within the U.N., with a focus on not only COVID-19 response, but also various global health security challenges that the international community may face, the ministry said.
The Group of Friends will conduct a range of activities based on consultations among participating countries, including holding ambassador-level meetings on a regular basis and operating other consultative mechanisms at various levels; holding briefings and meetings with experts; and delivering joint remarks and holding side events at U.N. meetings.