Saudi calls for extraordinary ‘virtual’ G20 summit on Coronavirus next week

Saudi Arabia has called for an extraordinary ‘virtual’ G20 Leaders Summit next week in order that countries can coordinate their response to the global pandemic that has spread to 167 countries and have shaken global financial institutions.

This event would mark the first time that Saudi Arabia would hold the presidency of the G20.

The G20 summit was originally scheduled to be held on November 21-22, 2020, in Riyadh.

In a statement reported issued by the kingdom and reported by official news agency WAM, Saudi said that the G20 will act alongside international organisations, in any way deemed necessary to alleviate the impact of the pandemic.

G20 leaders would put forward a coordinated set of policies to protect people and safeguard the global economy.

It added that the summit will build on the ongoing efforts of the G20 finance ministers and central bank governors, senior health, trade, and foreign affairs officials, to further develop the precise requirements and actions needed.

Saudi Arabia, like most countries around the world, has implemented a range of sweeping measures to contain the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus.

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On March 18, it announced that all private sector employees will have to work out of their homes for 15 days while also suspending prayers in mosques – with the exception of the two holy mosques in Makkah and Madinah.