King, at G-20 summit, calls for countering COVID impact on food security, jobs and education

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Saturday participated as a guest of honour in the G-20 Leaders’ Summit, held virtually by Saudi Arabia, at the invitation of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia.

In remarks at the summit, attended by HRH Crown Prince Hussein, King Abdullah commended Saudi Arabia’s efforts in leading the G-20 this year, amidst difficult global conditions according to a Royal Court statement.

His Majesty stressed the need to counter the global humanitarian and economic implications of COVID-19, especially their impact on food security, poverty, unemployment and education.

The King urged action to ensure the efficient and equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines to be available to all, adding that Jordan’s pharmaceutical sector can contribute to mass production and distribution efforts.

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His Majesty stressed the need to protect vulnerable communities around the world, including refugees and families living in poverty, from the repercussions of COVID-19.

Jordan, host of the second highest number of refugees per capita globally, has given special attention to the protection of refugees from this pandemic, the King said, noting that safeguarding refugees and vulnerable communities is a global responsibility.

His Majesty urged G-20 leaders to work towards a reglobalisation that ensures better international and regional cooperation, and a recovery rooted in equality, inclusivity, and dignity.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Adviser to His Majesty for Policies Haifa Khraisha, and Planning Minister Nasser Shraideh attended the summit on the Jordanian side.

The two-day summit, which concludes on 22 November, is held under the theme “Realising Opportunities of the 21st Century for All”, as part of the G-20’s efforts, under Saudi presidency this year, to safeguard the global economy, particularly amidst the developments related to COVID-19.

The G-20 is the world’s leading forum for international economic cooperation, and it includes leaders from all continents, representing developed and developing countries.

G-20 member states collectively account for 80 per cent of the world’s gross domestic product, two thirds of the world’s population, and three quarters of global trade.

G-20 members are: Saudi Arabia, the United States, Turkey, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, South Africa, Russia, China, Japan, South Korea, India, Indonesia, Australia and the EU.