Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc attends and delivers a speech at a video conference held by the 73rd World Health Assembly on Tuesday. — VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc has called on nations all over the world to strengthen international unity, mobilise resources and effectively respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking during a video conference of the 73rd World Health Assembly on Tuesday at the invitation of General Director of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Vietnamese PM stressed that along with efforts to handle the severe consequences of the pandemic, countries needed to have post-COVID-19 development plans to help businesses recover production while ensuring social security.

“People, especially the poor, vulnerable groups, cannot be left behind,” he said during the conference, which was attended by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, nearly 150 health leaders from member states and special guests.

PM Phúc said having been aware of the dangers of COVID-19 since its outset, the Vietnamese Government had mobilised the involvement of administrations at all levels, the national medical system, scientists and the army. The Government was firm in implementing concentrated quarantine, tracing and controlling infection sources, and accepted sacrificing short-term economic interests to protect public health.

He highlighted that with a population of nearly 100 million people, Việt Nam had so far recorded 324 cases and zero deaths, adding that May 19 was the 33rd day without community transmission.

The country had entered a “new normal” situation, focusing on economic development while maintaining effective pandemic prevention, he said.

The Vietnamese Government, businesses, organisations and individuals had offered medical supplies and shared experience with many countries, including those hardest hit by the pandemic, he added.

As ASEAN Chair 2020, Việt Nam had hosted and attended many discussions to seek a common voice and initiatives in the fight against COVID-19, providing support for the people and working towards economic recovery, he said.

PM Phúc expressed his belief that in the face of the most serious challenges since the establishment of the United Nations and the WHO, the international community would continue upholding the strong will and power of each nation and strong international solidarity and cooperation to overcome the challenge and build a better future for each country and all citizens.

Participants agreed to pool information and expertise worldwide to cope with the pandemic, and continue coordinating regional and global efforts in response to the outbreak while researching vaccines and medicines to cure the disease.

Earlier, Deputy Minister of Health, Nguyễn Thanh Long, also gave a speech on the prevention and response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Việt Nam at the conference.

He said that with high political determination "to fight against the pandemic as against the enemy", the Vietnamese Government had consistently implemented many flexible measures. 

Việt Nam has actively shared information and experience in COVID-19 prevention and control, always ensuring information transparency with WHO and other countries around the world through the International Health Regulations (IHR), he said.

Việt Nam also highly appreciated WHO's technical assistance in COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control through the issuance of recommendations and technical documents related to treatment, surveillance, infection control and testing, as well as organising online conferences to share information and experience in COVID-19 pandemic prevention, he added.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic had caused great damage to countries around the world, it was also an opportunity for countries to reconsider their capabilities at the request of IHR (2005) including policies, surveillance, risk assessment, laboratories, infection prevention and control, clinical management, risk communication and resources to make recommendations to strengthen these competencies in the near future, Long said. — VNS