President Moon: "Korea Will Fully End COVID-19, Continue International Cooperation Until the End" (Comprehensive)

G20 Summit Leaders Discuss Health and Economic Crises... Emphasize Global Economic Solidarity and Cooperation

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] President Moon Jae-in pledged on the 21st during his remarks at a side event of the Group of Twenty (G20) summit that "Korea will stand together until the very end in international cooperation for the complete end of COVID-19," and "We will also join forces in the development and distribution of vaccines and treatments that everyone earnestly desires."

President Moon said, "I am very glad that Korea is being recognized as a model country in COVID-19 prevention. I hope Korea's experience will serve as a reference for countries around the world."

Invited by the King of Saudi Arabia, the chair country, President Moon participated in a side event themed "Pandemic Preparedness and Response," sharing Korea's K-quarantine experience. President Moon stated, "Korea is actively participating in the World Health Organization's efforts to ensure equitable access to vaccines and is also joining COVAX," adding, "We will also expand cooperation and humanitarian support through organizations such as the International Vaccine Institute headquartered in Seoul."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Furthermore, President Moon emphasized, "A rapid recovery of the global economy is also an urgent task. To catch both the rabbits of quarantine and economy, I hope the movement of essential goods and personnel becomes smoother," and stressed, "In particular, I expect the rapid transit system to be further expanded so that countries around the world can engage more actively despite COVID-19."

The first day of the G20 summit, which continued from 10 p.m. to past midnight Korea time on the 21st, proceeded with Session 1 (Theme: Overcoming the Pandemic, Recovery of Growth and Jobs) and a side event (Theme: Pandemic Preparedness and Response).

Through his leading remarks in Session 1, President Moon evaluated that since the special G20 summit in March, the world has been working together to overcome the 'health' and 'economic' crises, and that joint response measures such as the launch of ACT-A, implementation of expansionary fiscal policies, and debt repayment suspension for low-income countries have laid the foundation for global economic recovery.

President Moon emphasized that global economic uncertainty remains high, making solidarity and cooperation in the international community important. He highlighted the importance of vaccine and treatment development and equitable distribution for the complete end of COVID-19, expressing support for the roles of international organizations such as the World Health Organization and the International Vaccine Institute, and promised close cooperation for vaccine distribution in developing countries.

President Moon welcomed the agreement on the G20 Trade and Investment COVID-19 Response Action Plan and the search for ways to facilitate cross-border movement of essential personnel including businesspeople, urging the restoration of multilateralism such as through the WTO and the creation of a fair and stable trade and investment environment.

The Blue House explained, "At Korea's proposal, the leaders' declaration is expected to include a sentence stating that the G20 will continue to seek concrete measures to facilitate the movement of personnel." President Moon also introduced the Digital New Deal, Green New Deal, and Regional Balanced New Deal.

Meanwhile, on the second day of the G20, Session 2 (Theme: "Inclusive, Sustainable, and Resilient Future") will be held. The final adoption of the leaders' declaration is also scheduled.

The G20 summit member countries consist of the G7 (United States, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Japan, Germany, Canada), BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa), MIKTA (Mexico, Indonesia, Korea, Turkey, Australia), and others (Argentina, Saudi Arabia, European Union).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.