18 Jun 2020

The joint extraordinary China-Africa Summit has expressed concern over the unprecedented, immediate and consequent challenges posed by the global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic to people around the world.

In a joint statement on solidarity against COVID-19 via video link on Wednesday, member states expressed concern about the disease’s major impact on the lives and health of the African people.

Leaders recognised the importance of public health issues to global peace and security and the well-being of people around the world, particularly the fact that Africa was extremely vulnerable to the ravages of the virus.

In that regard, they emphasised the need for solidarity and support, including resources from various parties to bolster response to the pandemic and to support its economic and social development.

Again, they commended and supported the UN Secretary-General’s call for a united response to COVID-19, and commitment to jointly safeguard global public health security, protect legitimate rights and interests of developing countries and make greater contribution to world peace and development, as well as build a community of health for all.

“We underscore the close relationship between peace, security and development, call on the international community to support Africa in implementing its ‘Silencing the Guns’ campaign and urge for an early lifting of economic sanctions on the Republics of Zimbabwe and Sudan,” reads the statement.

In accordance with the FOCAC spirit and long-term values cherished by both sides, parties stated that they remained committed to extending mutual support on issues regarding each other’s core interests and major concerns.

Furthermore, participants commended WHO’s role, under stewardship of director-general Dr Tedros, Adhanom Ghebreyesus, in leading and coordinating global response to COVID-19, and called on the international community to scale up political and financial support for WHO.

“We further commend the UN secretary-general for his leadership and support for the WHO and related health initiatives during this pandemic, which aims at making vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics for COVID-19 accessible worldwide.”

African leaders also commended decisive measures taken by the Chinese government to contain the spread of the virus and its timely sharing of information with WHO and relevant countries in an open, transparent and responsible manner, which bought precious time for the rest of the world.

On the other hand, China commended solidarity and support extended by African countries, the African Union and other regional organisations for China’s COVID-19 response and appreciated the establishment of the AU COVID-19 Strategy and appointment of special envoys to mobilise international support for Africa’s efforts to address economic challenges faced as a consequence of the pandemic.

Also, China commended resilience demonstrated by African countries and the positive results thus achieved in curbing the spread of the virus by adopting preventive measures. Ends