Ramaphosa calls for international solidarity

Published May 18, 2020

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CAPE TOWN- In his address to the virtual 73rd Session of the World Health Assembly (WHA) President Ramaphosa said that in order to turn back the frontiers of the pandemic countries should deepen international collaboration and solidarity.

Ramaphosa addressed the WHA on Monday at the invitation of the director general of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Dr Tedros Adhanom.

The WHA is the supreme policy decision-making body of the WHO and meet annually to discuss major policy questions and the work programme of the WHO.

Ramaphosa said that the African Union has made a call for developing countries to be assisted in efforts to combat the pandemic and to rebuild African economies. This assistance would include debt relief and assistance with regards to diagnostic and therapeutic medical supplies.

“Africa affirms its full support for the WHO which has been key in guiding the international response to the pandemic. The WHO has been instrumental in providing guidance and support to African governments,” he said.

Ramaphosa also used the opportunity to urge leaders to press on with the goal of making universal healthcare to all the people across the globe. “We must ensure that there is equitable access to medical equipment and technologies,” he said.

Other international leaders who attended the online briefing included the United Nations secretary general, Antonio Guterres, the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Angela Merkel, the President of the Republic of Korea Mr Moon Jae-in, and the Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Amor Mottley.

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