Korea to lead health security issue at UN

Cho Hyun, the Korean ambassador to the United Nations (U.N.), participates in a video conference of the Group of Friends of Solidarity for Global Health Security at the U.N. headquarters in New York, Tuesday (local time). / Courtesy of Ministry of Foreign Affairs

By Kang Seung-woo

Korea's successful handling of the initial coronavirus outbreak here has enabled the government to participate as a founding member of a global forum for exchanging views on how to effectively respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday that the Group of Friends of Solidarity for Global Health Security was launched Tuesday (local time) with an inaugural video conference based out of New York.

Alongside Korea, Canada, Denmark, Sierra Leone and Qatar co-chair the organization while other U.N. member states can freely join the group.

According to the ministry, the organization is aimed at serving as a platform for U.N. member countries to discuss how to deal with COVID-19 and other challenges to global health security through various forms of multilateral cooperation.

In addition, it will work toward focusing on major threats posed by the coronavirus to international peace and security, and call on the U.N. to play a key role in initiating and coordinating a strong global response to the pandemic. It will also emphasize the urgent need for action-oriented international cooperation among all U.N. member states.

Marked by mass testing, swift contact tracing and treatment based on its advanced medical and communications infrastructure, Korea's response to the novel coronavirus has gained global recognition.

On the back of the international applause, the government has made efforts to promote global discussions and cooperation in the fight against the pandemic and as part of them, sought to launch multilateral cooperation groups in the U.N., the World Health Organization and UNESCO.

Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha said in a welcoming speech that comprehensive measures were important in the global fight against the pandemic, hoping the newly formed group will become a multilateral platform that can explore various anti-virus measures at the U.N., according to the ministry.

“I thank the permanent representative of the Republic of Korea for organizing this important launch meeting,” U.N. Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said in a speech, later posted on the U.N. website. She added that it came at a time when the international community needed to strengthen institutions in a multilateral system.

“It is vital to have a coordinated global response. No country can overcome this pandemic alone, and the sharing of reliable information, data and experiences will be vital. This inaugural meeting of the Group of Friends of Solidarity for Global Health Security is an important step in that direction.”

While praising Korea's leading role in the establishment of the group, foreign ministers from the co-chair countries also said they would try to enhance cooperation in health security and COVID-19 responses.

As a co-chair, the government plans to lead global efforts directed toward cooperation on health security by sharing its quarantine and advanced medical systems knowhow.