The “Group of Friends of Solidarity for Global Health Security” at the United Nations, which was launched at the initiative of the government of the Republic of Korea on May 12 in order for the UN to respond to health security issues, such as COVID-19, held a virtual high-level meeting themed “Protraction of the COVID-19 Crisis: Mitigating the Impact and Protecting Future Generations” on September 23, as a side event during the High-Level Week of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly. In her opening remarks, Minister Kang stressed that, under the circumstance where negative impact of the protracted COVID-19 pandemic is intensifying on not only health but also peace, security, economic and social aspects, the will for mutual cooperation among countries to overcome this crisis together should not be weakened. She went on to underscore the need to strengthen multilateral systems, including the WHO.
