Create positive synergies in the fight against coronavirus – Experts resolve

Experts in business, education, health, and international relations at a week-long International Digital Summit have called on countries to create positive cooperation in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

The experts, representing 20 countries including; Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America resolved that to confront the ravages of Covid-19, countries needed to tackle the virus strategically en masse and force extraordinary synergies in the collective fight against the global pandemic.

The resolution which was contained in a statement issued by the Summit Organizing Committee, said discussions focused on what countries and their respective economies were experiencing as a result of the global Covid-19 pandemic and the need to protect citizens in the current situation and future outbreaks.

The virtual summit assembled experts to discuss lessons learned during 100 days since the first Covid-19 case was reported and to further provide recommendations to shape the new norm as it had brought unplanned and unpredictable change in global economic, political and social reality.

At the concluding phase of the summit, Purnima Anand, President of the BRICS International Forum - an association of five major emerging national economies; Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, underscored the need for constructive international cooperation as the best way out of the crisis.

Purnina Anand, who is also an International Socio-Economic Analyst said “the Pandemic has brought up the best and the worst of the humanity; fortitude and fear, solidarity and suspicion, rapport and determination and has indeed exposed all the contradictions of our modern world.”

Thus, she noted, cooperation was the best way forward to help the world to achieve balance within countries with an urgent need to step up information sharing, exchange experiences and best practices, and pursue international cooperation.

Michael Schumann, President of the German Foreign Trade Association (BWA), whiles speaking on BRICS countries and multilateral cooperation, said “cooperation looks like the optimal scenario for regional and global cooperation and aside for China and African countries that Germany should “turn to”, it should also take a closer look at India and re-establish relations with Russia, as sanctions and other restrictive policies do not benefit anyone neither in short term nor in the long run.”

He reiterated that Germany needed to develop its own independent security architecture stepping away from USA and NATO military “protectorate”.

Dr. Sergey Brilev, President of the Global Energy Association, who gave a speech on the future of sustainable development given the emerging trends of the energy sector, called on countries to actively promote energy efficiency and conservation.

He noted that sustainable development was possible by adopting a multi-pronged approach to the development and adoption of new technologies and innovations.

“Despite the huge potential Africa has in terms of creativity, resources, technology, tourism and agricultural potential, it can hardly benefit from it as at the moment the pressure and dependency of its elites from France and other ex-colonial powers is still strong” the statement said.

Nathalie Yamp, an Ivorian politician said “African countries should be able to choose partners for trade and cooperation freely, based on their rational reasoning”, adding that reform of the CFA franc existing in 13 countries of West and Central Africa had to be implemented in ways in which it would imply financial and political sovereignty.

Vaiva Adomaityte, Global Change Expert from the United Kingdom, specializing in Government reforms and transformation programmes, reflected on business and Governments ability to adapt and respond to the virus.

While discussing how all aspects of societal levels were interconnected and depended on each other, she highlighted the significant gap in governments’ ability to make prompt decisions in an agile and changing environment.

The statement concluded that international macroeconomic policy coordination should be stepped up and the global industrial and supply chains kept stable and freed in order to restore growth in global economies.

The COVID-19 Global Impact Digital Summit Organizing committee is an international team representing BRICS International Forum (India), ADMIS Consultancy (UK), BWA (Germany), Association for Free Research and International Cooperation (Mozambique), Center for Social and Cultural Initiatives (Russia), International Business Acceleration Centre (Russia), Center for Geopolitical Studies (Serbia).