Co-operation across borders and continents is essential in tackling Covid-19, says a Qatar Foundation (QF) professor, highlighting Qatar’s efforts at international solidarity in fighting the pandemic.
“Outbreak of Covid-19 has officially been recorded and documented in over 210 countries and territories, an entirely unprecedented spread of a disease. Therefore, the only chance we possess in overcoming this crisis is for all countries to stand up together in the face of this pandemic,” said Dr Andreas Rechkemmer, professor at College of Public Policy, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), a member of QF.
“Outbreak of Covid-19 has officially been recorded and documented in over 210 countries and territories, an entirely unprecedented spread of a disease. Therefore, the only chance we possess in overcoming this crisis is for all countries to stand up together in the face of this pandemic,” said Dr Andreas Rechkemmer, professor at College of Public Policy, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), a member of QF.
“Over recent weeks and months, Qatar has clearly supported the principles of international co-operation and solidarity, meaning it is considered an important global player and partner due to its close relationships with many countries around the world. An example of this is visible in relations between Qatar and Europe, as we have seen concerted efforts from Qatar to provide assistance and collaboration in the fields of emergency response and research and development to addressing the crisis,” Dr Rechkemmer explained.
Qatar’s support for the global fight against Covid-19 was again illustrated recently when HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani announced a $10mn pledge to the World Health Organisation to support the provision of testing equipment and treatment for the disease, as well as the search for a vaccine.
Qatar has also contributed $20mn to the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation.
“There is no prospect of dealing with this situation successfully if countries worldwide resist opportunities for co-operation and decide to simply make their own needs a priority, regardless of those of other countries. If this happens, it will backfire very badly,” he cautioned.
Addressing the Covid-19 crisis depends on developing an effective vaccine and taking measures and precautions to contain the spread of the virus. “The ability to adapt, flatten the curve of infections, or simply buying ourselves time is not enough to solve the problem,” Dr Rechkemmer, said. “That is why resolving the crisis requires partnership and co-operation between nations throughout the world.”
He continued, "There is strong co-operation between Qatari and European institutions, where Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, part of HBKU, participated in vaccine development and testing. In the context of research, development and innovation, Qatar is considered a reliable partner by many research centres – there has been strong collaboration between QF and other Qatari entities and Italian laboratories, the University of Oxford and UCL in London.”
“The College of Science and Engineering at HBKU, in co-operation with Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute, has conducted a great deal of research with partner countries in Europe, as well as tackling and monitoring the development of AI applications, strategies and simulations, which are now becoming very important in making significant decisions.”
Dr Rechkemmer pointed to the way in which Qatar has focused its support towards countries that require urgent assistance in Europe and the Middle East, "There was strong solidarity with Italy when Qatar delivered thousands of beds to set up field hospitals in Rome.
"This kind of solidarity and generosity is not only limited to humanitarian assistance, but also includes the exchange of information and outcomes and making them available to all, as well as the co-ordination of monetary and fiscal policies related to trade."
He noted that since the beginning of this year, there has been a rapid response of bilateral co-operation between Qatar and the European partner countries in terms of intensifying efforts to ensure that supply chains are maintained between Qatar and Europe. “These relations have proven resilient under the current circumstances, stressing that bilateral co-operation is working well. The assistance that Qatar has provided and the solidarity it has shown to other countries has helped these nations’ efforts to respond to this crisis, and this definitely reflects a remarkably positive approach from Qatar,” added Dr Rechkemmer.
Qatar’s support for the global fight against Covid-19 was again illustrated recently when HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani announced a $10mn pledge to the World Health Organisation to support the provision of testing equipment and treatment for the disease, as well as the search for a vaccine.
Qatar has also contributed $20mn to the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation.
“There is no prospect of dealing with this situation successfully if countries worldwide resist opportunities for co-operation and decide to simply make their own needs a priority, regardless of those of other countries. If this happens, it will backfire very badly,” he cautioned.
Addressing the Covid-19 crisis depends on developing an effective vaccine and taking measures and precautions to contain the spread of the virus. “The ability to adapt, flatten the curve of infections, or simply buying ourselves time is not enough to solve the problem,” Dr Rechkemmer, said. “That is why resolving the crisis requires partnership and co-operation between nations throughout the world.”
He continued, "There is strong co-operation between Qatari and European institutions, where Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, part of HBKU, participated in vaccine development and testing. In the context of research, development and innovation, Qatar is considered a reliable partner by many research centres – there has been strong collaboration between QF and other Qatari entities and Italian laboratories, the University of Oxford and UCL in London.”
“The College of Science and Engineering at HBKU, in co-operation with Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute, has conducted a great deal of research with partner countries in Europe, as well as tackling and monitoring the development of AI applications, strategies and simulations, which are now becoming very important in making significant decisions.”
Dr Rechkemmer pointed to the way in which Qatar has focused its support towards countries that require urgent assistance in Europe and the Middle East, "There was strong solidarity with Italy when Qatar delivered thousands of beds to set up field hospitals in Rome.
"This kind of solidarity and generosity is not only limited to humanitarian assistance, but also includes the exchange of information and outcomes and making them available to all, as well as the co-ordination of monetary and fiscal policies related to trade."
He noted that since the beginning of this year, there has been a rapid response of bilateral co-operation between Qatar and the European partner countries in terms of intensifying efforts to ensure that supply chains are maintained between Qatar and Europe. “These relations have proven resilient under the current circumstances, stressing that bilateral co-operation is working well. The assistance that Qatar has provided and the solidarity it has shown to other countries has helped these nations’ efforts to respond to this crisis, and this definitely reflects a remarkably positive approach from Qatar,” added Dr Rechkemmer.