ZCZC
BSS-11
ICC-WHO-COVID-19
ICC to work jointly with WHO to fight COVID-19
DHAKA, March 18, 2020 (BSS) – International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has reached an unprecedented agreement with the World Health Organization (WHO) to mobilize its private sector network to help fight the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
“In light of ICC’s purpose to enable business worldwide to secure peace, prosperity and opportunity for all,
ICC Chair Paul Polman and Secretary General John WH Denton AO have written an open letter to the Saudi G20 Presidency to call for immediate and coordinated global action to ensure access to essential medical supplies, scale public health financing to tackle COVID-19 and restore confidence and stability in the global economy,” said an ICC press release here today.
The WHO anticipates a need of US$675 million through April alone for preparedness and response efforts. To help meet this funding gap, the WHO has created a new COVID-19 solidarity response fund, the first-of-its-kind fund for companies, foundations and individuals to donate to WHO’s global response to the ongoing pandemic.
In this regard, ICC and the WHO have issued a joint statement outlining key elements which include: disseminating the latest, expert advice to businesses; forging collaboration between the private sector, UN and WHO country teams; and providing business insights to help international COVID19 crisis management efforts.
BSS/PR/KUC/GA/1550 hrs