NEW YORK — Deputy Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations Dr. Khaled Bin Muhammad Manzalawi stressed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as president of the G20 this year, is committed to helping address the global, economic, social and financial impact of COVID-19 epidemic.

Dr. Manzalawi noted that the G20 recognizes the challenges posed by this epidemic, especially the low and middle-income countries during the high-level event on financing for development in the era of COVID-19 and beyond.

The event was organized by the delegations of Canada and Jamaica accredited to the United Nations, with the participation of the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations Amina Mohammed.

Dr. Manzalawi pointed out that the G20 coordinates a rapid international response that has resulted in pledges of more than $21 billion to support financing global health, and will be dedicated to diagnostic tools, vaccines, therapies and research and development work.

Dr. Manzalawi said that the G20 has announced debt service suspension that will bring benefits for the poor countries and allows them to use their financial resources to respond to the coronavirus crisis.

Dr. Manzalawi pointed out that Saudi Arabia provided $210 million to the World Health Organization, $150 million to the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization, and $150 million for the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations. — SPA