Minister Cho Kyu-hong: "Global Collaboration Needed to Respond to Pandemic"... Seoul Declaration Adopted

[Asia Economy Reporter Byun Seon-jin] Cho Kyu-hong, Minister of Health and Welfare, stated at the '2022 World Bio Summit' held on the 26th, "Vaccine and pharmaceutical development requires excellent research personnel and substantial research funding, making it a high barrier. Therefore, collaboration must be achieved through well-coordinated research cooperation at the global level."

Minister Cho said in his congratulatory speech at the World Bio Summit held at the Grand Walkerhill Seoul in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, "We take the importance of international cooperation in responding to COVID-19 very seriously." He added that global-level cooperation plans are needed for building supply chains throughout the entire process from production to distribution and vaccination, as well as for securing regulatory and review capabilities in each country.

Minister Cho also said, "It is very important that each country has the necessary level of regulation and the capacity to review it so that innovative technologies can be disseminated in a short period during emergencies worldwide, and vaccines and treatments can be used safely."

Karl Lauterbach, German Minister of Health, said online, "The COVID-19 pandemic has shown how important it is to exchange knowledge globally about vaccines, bioengineering therapeutics, and new developments." He added, "Vaccines and treatments based on various technologies developed in a short period have saved many lives." He further stated, "Companies and research institutes are currently developing or have already approved second-generation COVID-19 vaccines that can provide better protection against various variants. There is a need to share pandemic know-how, conduct research on pathogens that could cause infectious diseases in the future, and the world must work together to overcome public health crises."

Andrea Palm, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Health, said, "Through the COVID-19 experience, we have learned that global health security is crucial for national survival and the economy, and it is the primary defense to protect the lives of citizens." She added, "We must continue to respond to pandemic threats with a comprehensive approach through innovation and global partnerships."

Meanwhile, Minister Cho announced that the 'Seoul Declaration' was adopted on behalf of the participants of the World Bio Summit. The Seoul Declaration includes content on strengthening capabilities and commitments to prepare for future pandemics based on innovation in vaccines and bio fields and multilateral international cooperation. Minister Cho declared, "We will continue discussions to promote global cooperation to strengthen future pandemic response."

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