US "COVID-19 Summit on Next Month 12" ... Yoon President-Elect Likely to Attend

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] The United States will hold a second virtual meeting next month on the 12th, attended by leaders of major countries, to coordinate the international community's joint response to COVID-19. South Korea is also expected to participate, raising expectations that President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol could meet virtually with U.S. President Joe Biden shortly after his inauguration.

On the 18th (local time), the White House announced in a joint statement with Germany, Indonesia, Senegal, and Belize that a global summit would be held virtually to end the urgent phase of the COVID-19 pandemic and prepare for future health threats.

This is the second meeting co-hosted following the first U.S.-led meeting held in September last year. Germany serves as the chair of the Group of Seven (G7), Indonesia chairs the Group of Twenty (G20), Senegal leads the African Union (AU), and Belize is the chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) this year.

In the statement, these countries said, "The emergence and spread of new variants such as Omicron have increased the need for strategies aimed at suppressing COVID-19 worldwide," and that the meeting will focus on supporting region-led solutions for both short- and long-term challenges. Key agenda items include vaccination, efficient use of testing and therapeutics, expansion and protection of healthcare workers, improved access to medical responses, and sustainable financing.

About 20 countries, mainly donors related to COVID-19, are expected to attend this meeting. South Korea is also expected to participate following last year's first meeting. If President-elect Yoon attends the meeting shortly after his inauguration, it could be the first time he meets President Biden at an international conference. However, considering that many leaders, including President Moon Jae-in, chose pre-recorded video messages during the first meeting, it is uncertain whether there will be an opportunity for direct greetings and communication.

It is known that South Korea and the U.S. are currently negotiating the first summit between President Biden and President-elect Yoon around the 21st of next month, when Biden is expected to visit Korea.

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