Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan participated in the 25th ASEAN Coordinating Council Meeting. The Meeting was held via videoconference.
The Foreign Ministers noted the serious public health, economic, and social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. They exchanged views on the global Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) situation, including developments in their respective countries. The Foreign Ministers also stressed the need for regional and international cooperation to strengthen the region’s collective resilience, including by sharing information and best practices on how to address the global pandemic.
At the Meeting, Minister Balakrishnan highlighted the need for ASEAN to work together and with its key Dialogue Partners to contain the healthcare crisis. He stressed the critical importance of maintaining supply chain connectivity to preserve the flow of essential goods and supplies amidst the pandemic. In addition, Minister Balakrishnan, while recognising the present severity of the situation, reiterated the need for ASEAN to be well-positioned for the post-COVID-19 recovery phase. This included putting in place sustainable measures that could prepare ASEAN to reinvigorate our economies and to establish guidelines to help us deal with future public health emergencies.
Minister Balakrishnan will join Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to participate in the Special ASEAN Summit on COVID-19 and the Special APT Summit on COVID-19 on 14 April 2020.
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
9 APRIL 2020
Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan at the Videoconference for the 25th ASEAN Coordinating Council Meeting.
[Photo credit: Ministry of Foreign Affairs]
Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan at the Videoconference for the 25th ASEAN Coordinating Council Meeting.
[Photo credit: Ministry of Foreign Affairs]
