G20 Pumps USD 5 Trillion in Global Health Efforts to Combat Covid-19

G20 Pumps USD 5 Trillion in Global Health Efforts to Combat Covid-19
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G20 Pumps USD 5 Trillion in Global Health Efforts to Combat Covid-19

G20 Pumps USD 5 Trillion in Global Health Efforts to Combat Covid-19

Saudi Minister of Health, Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, said on Friday that the G20, under Saudi chairmanship, assumed an important role in facing the Covid-19 pandemic, noting that more than USD 5 trillion were pumped into the global economy as part of joint efforts to find a fair and comprehensive solution to the distribution of the vaccine.

In a session held on the sidelines of the G20 summit, Rabiah stated that the pandemic has had health effects on 50 million people around the world amid a severe second wave.

In this regard, he pointed to the efforts of the Saudi presidency when it chaired a virtual meeting to highlight the need to support international efforts and provide more than USD 5 trillion to the global economy, in order to reach a fair and comprehensive solution to the distribution of vaccines to international organizations.

At the national level, the minister stressed that the Kingdom took unprecedented and proactive measures to protect the health of its citizens as an utmost priority and to provide medical services and health care to all its residents, regardless of their status.

Saudi Arabia, in its presidency of the G20, has pledged to overcome the pandemic and find comprehensive solutions to curb its repercussions.

“The G20 has adopted various measures to combat the emerging coronavirus at the economic and social levels. It has laid down the basic principles for international economic cooperation in the severely affected regions,” said Abdulaziz Al-Rasheed, Assistant Minister of Finance for International Financial Affairs and Policies.



Taliban Say India Is a ‘Significant Regional Partner’ after Meeting

Photo: AFP
Photo: AFP
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Taliban Say India Is a ‘Significant Regional Partner’ after Meeting

Photo: AFP
Photo: AFP

The Taliban's foreign office said they saw India as a "significant regional and economic partner" after meeting with its most senior foreign ministry official, the highest level talks with Delhi since their takeover of Afghanistan in 2021.
India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met acting Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Dubai on Wednesday.
Afghanistan's foreign ministry said in a statement that they had discussed expanding relations with Afghanistan and to boost trade through Chabahar Port in Iran, which India has been developing for goods to bypass the ports of Karachi and Gwadar in its rival Pakistan, Reuters reported.
"In line with Afghanistan's balanced and economy-focused foreign policy, the Islamic Emirate aims to strengthen political and economic ties with India as a significant regional and economic partner," the statement from Afghanistan's foreign ministry said late on Wednesday.
India's foreign ministry said after the Delhi meeting that India was considering engaging in development projects in Afghanistan and looking to boost trade ties.
No foreign government, including India, officially recognizes the Taliban administration.
However, India is one of several countries with a small mission in Kabul to facilitate trade, aid and medical support and has sent humanitarian aid to Afghanistan under the Taliban.
Regional players including China and Russia have signaled they are willing to boost trade and investment in Afghanistan.
The Delhi meeting could ruffle Pakistan, which borders both countries and has fought three wars in the past against India.
Pakistan and Afghanistan also have a strained relationship, with Pakistan saying that several militant attacks that have occurred in its country have been launched from Afghan soil - a charge the Afghan Taliban denies.
Earlier this week India's foreign office told journalists they condemned airstrikes conducted late last year by Pakistan on Afghan soil.