Last night, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam chaired the 16th East Asia Summit. At the Summit, His Majesty appreciates the support to the E.A.S. Leaders’ Statement on Mental Health Cooperation. His Majesty is also pleased that the other E.A.S. Statements on Tourism and Green Recovery will complement the shared vision to promote a more holistic and comprehensive response to the pandemic, one that enables swift economic progress while ensuring sustainable and inclusive development. The collective actions of the E.A.S. can bring a significant impact to the entire world.
The COVID-19 pandemic, His Majesty says, has brought countries to work together and more closely with multilateral institutions such as the World Health Organization and World Trade Organization which can support the E.A.S.’ efforts in addressing the ongoing public health emergency, as well as how to revitalise the economies. To this end, His Majesty underscores that vaccination is key to overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic, and called for E.A.S. cooperation to ensure that vaccines are affordable and accessible across the region, given that several E.A.S. participating countries are among the top COVID-19 vaccine producers and together account for more than 70 per cent of global vaccine production. Hence, His Majesty highlights the need to focus on the human consequences of the pandemic, especially the well-being of the people.
At the Summit, the Director-General of the World Health Organization, WHO and the Director-General of the World Trade Organization, WTO also briefed on addressing key actions in moving towards pandemic responses and recovery. In addition, the Secretary-General of ASEAN also reported on the progress of EAS cooperation, in which EAS was encouraged to establish regional mechanisms in addressing global health issues and focus on building greater economic resilience.
Meanwhile, Leaders emphasized the EAS’ important role to leverage on synergies to manage common challenges in maintaining peace, stability and prosperity in East Asia. In moving forward from the COVID-19 pandemic, EAS Leaders highlighted the promotion of inclusivity in economic growth and recovery of the region by strengthening cooperation in public health, mental health, cybersecurity, circular economy, climate change and tourism.
Source: Radio Television Brunei