Xinhua
26 Nov 2021, 00:25 GMT+10
A situation like the pandemic needs solidarity, needs multilateral response and a global approach, but not the attempts to have national responses, which might be effective for a brief period of time, but not in the long run, according to Tatiana Valovaya, director-general of United Nations office at Geneva.
LONDON, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- As the virtual 13th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit hosted by Cambodia kicked off on Thursday, experts and officials in Europe have underscored the importance of closer Europe-Asia cooperation on pressing global issues ranging from the COVID-19 pandemic to climate change.
In times of profound challenges, countries around the world must uphold multilateralism, they concurred.
"Today, it is clear that no one can stand alone against global challenges and that cooperation between Asia and Europe is extremely needed," Asim Kurjak, full member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, told Xinhua.
Kurjak explained that as he has been leading scientific projects around the world, he sees "how important it is to strengthen multilateralism today."
"There are growing calls for global cooperation, because that is the only way for the world to confront crises like pandemics or climate change," he said.
Tatiana Valovaya, director-general of United Nations (UN) office at Geneva, told Xinhua: "One lesson for me from the pandemic is clear: a situation like the pandemic needs solidarity, needs multilateral response and a global approach, but not the attempts to have national responses, which might be effective for a brief period of time, but not in the long run."
"Now some nations think they can deal with COVID alone through vaccines. But there is no conclusive evidence that is right. In the end we would all benefit from cooperating through WHO (World Health Organization) but the world is not ready for that," Stephen Perry, chairman of Britain's 48 Group Club, told Xinhua.
"There is no doubt that every global challenge to mankind is best dealt with by a unity of nations and their power," he said.
Noting that there has been significant rise in transport costs, prices of products and materials, Mladen Vedris, former deputy prime minister of Croatia, told Xinhua that the logistics that connect the world in the fight against pandemic and climate change, as well as support migration are very vulnerable.
He said the two-day Asia-Europe gathering is important, where the answer will be sought on how to find solutions on a global level and best apply them at home.
Lyazid Benhami, vice-president of the Paris Association of French-Chinese Friendship, told Xinhua: "Unilateralism is dangerous, and multilateralism must also be based on an international organization with expanded powers and responsibilities. It is inconceivable to reduce the influence of the United Nations especially in our time when nationalism is reborn."
The ASEM Summit started on Thursday under the chairmanship of Cambodia, with main focus on multilateralism and post-COVID-19 recovery. The meeting, under the slogan "Strengthening Multilateralism for Shared Growth," was held via video conference due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
ASEM, founded in 1996, is an informal platform for dialogue and cooperation between Asia and Europe.
Get a daily dose of Middle East Star news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Middle East Star.
More InformationGENEVA, Switzerland: A new United Nations report alleges that dozens of global corporations are profiting from and helping sustain...
LONDON/STOCKHOLM: The Persson family is ramping up its investment in the H&M fashion empire, fueling renewed speculation about a potential...
LONDON, U.K.: British oil giant Shell has denied reports that it is in talks to acquire rival oil company BP. The Wall Street Journal...
SYDNEY, Australia: Australia will not ease its strict biosecurity rules during trade talks with the United States, Prime Minister Anthony...
BEIJING, July 5 (Xinhua) -- No dull rows of chairs and tables, no endless slides of charts and numbers -- instead, a gleaming statue...
KHARTOUM, July 5 (Xinhua) -- After more than two years of devastating conflict, Sudan's capital Khartoum is slowly emerging from the...
MADRID, Spain: Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota and his younger brother, André Silva, have died in a car accident in Spain. Spanish...
LONDON, U.K.: An unrelenting heatwave sweeping across Europe has pushed early summer temperatures to historic highs, triggering deadly...
President Donald Trump's plans to build a space-based Golden Dome missile defense shield have drawn immediate criticism from China,...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Paramount has agreed to pay US$16 million to settle a lawsuit brought by U.S. President Donald Trump over...
LONDON, U.K.: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer won a vote in Parliament this week to move ahead with changes to the country's welfare...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: President Donald Trump will meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday. President...