Launch of UN Health Security Friends Group Led by South Korea

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The 'UN Health Security Friends Group,' aimed at strengthening international health security cooperation in response to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), was launched on the 12th (local time) under the leadership of the South Korean government.

Ambassador Cho Hyun of the Permanent Mission to the UN attended the virtual meeting of the UN Friends of Health Security Group held on the 12th (local time).

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Permanent Mission of Korea to the UN, the Friends Group held its inaugural meeting via video conference on the same day. The co-chair countries are South Korea, Canada, Denmark, Sierra Leone, and Qatar.

The video conference was attended by foreign ministers of the co-chair countries including Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, David Nabarro, WHO COVID-19 Special Envoy, Kevin Rudd, former Australian Prime Minister and Chair of the International Peace Institute (IPI) Board, UN diplomats and Secretariat officials, health experts, and about 200 others.

In her welcoming remarks, Minister Kang emphasized, "I hope the Health Security Friends Group will become a vibrant platform for actively sharing experiences and lessons, and make a practical contribution to strengthening the global fight against the pandemic."

The Friends Group plans to carry out activities such as regular ambassador-level meetings, operation of various consultative bodies, expert briefings, roundtable discussions, joint statements at various UN meetings, and hosting side events.