The Co-Chairs of the Group of Friends of Solidarity for Global Health Security, namely Canada, Denmark, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of Sierra Leone, and the State of Qatar, hosted on 23 September a high-level side event entitled, “Protraction of the COVID-19 Crisis: Mitigating the Impacts and Protecting Future Generations” on the margins of the high-level week of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The event also included briefings from Ms. Henrietta Fore, Executive Director of UNICEF, Dr Kamran Khan, Founder and CEO of BlueDot Inc, Ms. Asa Regner, Deputy Executive Director UN-Women, and Ms. Stine Bang Larsen, Youth Delegate of Denmark.
While countries worldwide are currently experiencing the impacts of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on different trajectories, public health experts agree that the fight against this pandemic will not end soon. As such, it is deeply concerning that the protraction of this crisis will exacerbate impacts on the most vulnerable. The longer this health crisis persists, the greater its impact will be on future generations, especially those in the most disadvantaged or vulnerable situations.
The following questions guided the discussions at the event:
What impact will the protraction of the COVID-19 crisis have on future generations?
How can we collectively mitigate the protraction of this crisis?
How can new technologies and the private sector contribute to preparations for a second wave of COVID-19 or other infectious diseases?
What are the needs and aspirations of young people regarding the pandemic?
