Momen in NY: Bangladesh open to sharing its COVID-19 management experience

Dr. AK Abdul Momen, the foreign minister, has emphasized the need for consistent, sustainable investments in the health sector, particularly in low-income nations, reports UNB.

He welcomed the World Bank's establishment of the financial intermediary fund to support investments in prevention, preparedness, and response (PPR).

Dr. Momen emphasized the importance of developing a global health strategy that will better position the world for any upcoming pandemic.

He emphasized the necessity of developing a playbook so that the nations will be prepared to act quickly in response to potential health hazards.

Dr Momen was speaking at the opening session of the COVID-19 Global Action Plan (GAP) Ministerial held in New York on Friday, September 23.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares Bueno and Botswana Foreign Minister Dr. Lemogang Kwape jointly convened the Ministerial, aiming at bringing together partners to maintain and strengthen political will to address COVID-19 challenges.

The Foreign Ministers from several countries, including from Japan, Saudi Arabia and Thailand, and the Director General of WHO participated in the meeting. High level delegates from a number of countries, including France, Indonesia, Germany, UK, India, Norway, Italy, and South Korea also joined.

Dr Momen highlighted that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh was a standout success in COVID-19 response.

He said that Bangladesh was open to sharing its COVID-19 management experience, which had been centered around saving lives, supporting livelihoods — especially of the most vulnerable, and posting quick economic recovery.

Stressing further on the global partnership and concerted efforts, Foreign Minister lauded the multilateral processes, including initiatives like ACT-A and COVAX under WHO that played an important role in making vaccines and other COVID materials available.

However, he reminded that the pandemic was not over yet, and vaccination needed to continue. To this effect, the Foreign Minister reiterated that vaccines should be declared global public goods and distributed without discrimination.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a joint statement with specific suggestions and next steps was released just after Ministerial.

In line with six main lines of action, it highlighted the current level of the international response to COVID-19 and the function of foreign ministries in fostering political will and cooperation.

In order to close any remaining gaps in the pandemic response and improve health security to avoid, prepare for, and respond to future health threats, the joint statement emphasized the significance of improved collaboration among GAP partners.