Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid has urged to increase joint actions in order to prevent, detect and respond to future health security threats, effectively.

In a statement delivered at the Covid-19 ministerial on Thursday, the Maldives foreign minister called on member states to renew the vow to increase cooperation in order to ensure success of global mechanisms and prevent, detect and respond to future health security threats effectively.

Going on to shed light on the challenging circumstances facing the globe due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, FM Shahid stressed on the need for consolidated global effort to address such catastrophes.

The foreign minister stated that the US government had played a vital role in supporting the government of Maldives in their response efforts, which includes the many donations of Personal Protective Equipment, ventilators and vaccines that in turn boosted the island nation’s capacity to curb the spread of coronavirus, more effectively.

FM Shahid also applauded the government of US for coordinating a global response to address the pandemic.

Further, the foreign minister welcomed the US government’s decision to support the establishment of the Global Health Threats Council, noting the crucial role multilateral initiatives such as COVAX and GAVI play in restructuring a global response to future health security threats.

Focusing on recognizing the leading role of foreign ministers in identifying solutions and gaps to bring an end to the pandemic and build better health security to prevent and respond to future infectious disease and other biological threats, the virtual Covid-19 Ministerial was hosted by the United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken.