President Muhammadu Buhari Monday in Abuja participated in online Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Contact Group Meeting in response to COVID-19.
The teleconference meeting with a theme ”United Against COVID-19,” was presided over by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and current chairperson of the Non-Aligned Movement, Mr IIham Aliyev.
In his opening speech, President Aiyev commended member-countries for unanimously endorsing the global fight against COVID-19 to protect humanity from destruction.
He said already Azerbaijan had donated five million dollars to the World Health organisation (WHO) to help combat the deadly Coronavirus disease.
He said had also introduced several measures including special quarantine region which has extended to May 31 to stop the spread of Coronavirus in the country.
He said the country had earmarked $3.5 billion for the implementation of its social interventions programmes, while tax holidays had also been offered to some companies to cushion the negative impacts of the deadly virus.
Aliyev commended the World Health Organisation and the United Nations for their collaborative support in the global fight against Coronavirus, and pledged that the Non-Aligned Movement would continue to share ideas and information with all stakeholders to combat the pandemic.
Also speaking, President of the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Professor Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, reiterated the commitment of UN in the efforts to finding solutions to the deadly Coronavirus.
While stressing that the virus has disrupted economies of many nations across the world, Muhammad-Bande commended member countries of the Non-Aligned Movement for their joint efforts in the fight against the pandemic.
He enjoined the countries to continue to build stronger economies that would address the difficulties being experienced by their citizens.
In a video message, Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr Antonio Guterres, said the virus had inflicted serious damages humanity and economies of the world.
He called for a sustained global solidarity against the novel Coronavirus.
In his remarks, Director-General of the World Health Organisation, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, described the Non-Aligned Movement Summit on COVID-19 as a welcome development, saying”no country can manage the Corona allow.”
He said national unity, global solidarity and commitment to peace are vital in the fight against the virus.
”COVID-19 has affected all segments of the society- all countries must work together to ensure that no one is left behind,” he said.
In his contribution, the chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mr Moussa Faki Mahamat, lauded China and Cuba for sending medical equipment to Africa to combat the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic.
