Russia stated on Friday that the novel coronavirus provided the world with many lessons, starting with how to confront poverty and inequality in the world.
Russia's G20 Sherpa Svetlana Lukash added that one of the most important decisions taken by the G20 under Saudi Arabia’s presidency was the agreement to suspend debt service payments for the world’s poorest countries.
She remarked that the world was caught off-guard during the beginning of the pandemic, but Saudi Arabia’s presidency of the G20 helped professionally shift the focus on confronting the virus, while also still keeping the summit’s regular agenda, including issues related to climate change and poverty, within its sights.
Speaking at a virtual press conference ahead of Saturday’s G20 Summit, which is hosted by Saudi Arabia, Lukash said that the pandemic crisis is unprecedented and cannot be compared with any other.
The G20 has never had to confront such a global challenge, she stated.
The crisis prompted global cooperation from world leaders and the collaboration of the G20 has provided support to the global health and economic sectors, she continued.
Every crisis is an opportunity, not just a challenge, she remarked, explaining that the pandemic presented the world with a greater understanding of the way to choose how to confront poverty and inequality in the world.
The Saudi leadership has been excellent, she added, praising it for focusing on the future and technological advancement.
