Geneva Int’l Discussions Co-chairs remain ‘fully engaged’ to address challenges amid coronavirus pandemic
The co-chairs decided to postpone the 51st GID round, which was due to take place on 31 March -1 April "after carefully reviewing circumstances related to the rapid spread" of the COVID-19 virus. Photo: Georgian Foreign Ministry
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The co-chairs of Geneva International Discussions (GIDs) from the European Union, United Nations and OSCE, Toivo Klaar, Cihan Sultanoglu and Rudolf Michalka remain “fully engaged to help address the challenges” created by the coronavirus pandemic.
The co-chairs decided to postpone the 51st GID round, which was due to take place on 31 March -1 April "after carefully reviewing circumstances related to the rapid spread" of the COVID-19 virus.
Statement of the Co-Chairs of the Geneva International Discussions on remaining fully engaged to help address the challenges created by the coronavirus pandemic: https://t.co/g4ZqDpdGoz
— OSCE (@OSCE) March 31, 2020
Commending the efforts of health professionals and others who are working hard to stop the spread of COVID-19, they appeal to all GID participants to respond to the call by UN Secretary General António Guterres "to put aside mistrust and animosity, avoid antagonistic rhetoric, and work together to reach out to the most vulnerable”.
In particular, they urge all GID participants “to do their utmost to protect vulnerable conflict-affected populations, especially women, men and children in areas facing particular isolation”.
These populations need assistance and must not be allowed to suffer even more. We are encouraged by some collaborative approaches that have already taken place, but more needs to be done to ensure that all people, regardless of where they happen to live or what language they may speak, have equal access to health care”, they stated.
Noting that “cooperation across dividing lines, under other circumstances, may be challenging”, they further appeal to all participants of the GID “to set aside differences and ensure that all individuals have the best possible access to testing and treatment”.