World leaders to meet virtually to coordinate virus response
Source: AP
By AYA BATRAWY
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) Leaders of the worlds most powerful economies will convene virtually on Thursday to try and coordinate a response to the fast-spreading coronavirus, which has shuttered businesses and forced well over a quarter of the worlds population into home isolation.
The meeting for the Group of 20 nations will be chaired by Saudi Arabias King Salman. The kingdom, which is presiding over the G20 this year, said it organized the extraordinary meeting to advance global efforts to tackle the pandemic and its economic implications as people lose their incomes amid closures, curfews and lockdowns.
The meeting comes amid criticism that the worlds wealthiest countries have not taken cohesive action to combat the virus or its economic impact on people around the world.
Saudi Arabia has also been criticized for rocking oil markets by ramping up production next month and slashing prices to gain market share after Russia, another major G20 oil producer, refused to extend a production cut agreement that had propped up crude prices.
A worker sprays disinfectant at the pedestrian walkway at Senayan Sports Complex amid coronavirus outbreak, in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, March 26, 2020. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
Read more: https://apnews.com/b1379fde50341508f095381191b9a71c
DonaldsRump
(7,715 posts)This is so much of the reason this has been a catastrophe worldwide: the lack of countries working together. This is CLEARLY a result of the idiotic "populism"/"nationalism"/"authoritarian" shite that has plagued the world thanks to Putin, Trump, BoJo/Brexit-eers etc.
In the US, we have a double whammy because also we have an idiot in the White House.
hangaleft
(649 posts)Hes a genius, hes not gonna listen to what other world leaders* advise or agree upon.
*Other than Putin and Kim Jong-un
captain queeg
(10,273 posts)pazzyanne
(6,559 posts)hangaleft
(649 posts)And pretty distressing when you think about it.
KewlKat
(5,624 posts)Hes got my vote!
Javaman
(62,534 posts)Steelrolled
(2,022 posts)But does anyone believe this will do any good? I view it as world leaders trying to look like they are doing something. Their focus should be at home.
EarthFirst
(2,905 posts)I see this as as potentially being able to shift medical equipment and personnel from countries which have begun to recover; to areas of the world that are struggling to keep up with the sheer magnitude of the virus.
Of course here in the United States; our government has alienated us from the global community; so we may face a greater challenge receiving assistance from the global community. Lets hope not...
Im optimistic that this is what happens.
Steelrolled
(2,022 posts)until a country has total recovery, which is likely to be a very long time.
Germany and France have already put bans/limits on some "exports" to other EU counties (so much for the common market). The Europeans leaders criticized closing borders until things got bad, then they began to close borders (so much for open borders).
Ultimately it is everyone for themselves.