Asean foreign ministers agree to set up ‘response fund’ to tackle pandemic

At the meeting, Don and his regional counterparts confirmed their joint intention to strengthen cooperation in relation to tackling Covid-19 in the region and discussed measures as well as guidelines for mitigating the situation on a wider scale.
The ministers also agreed to three points proposed by the working group under the Asean Coordinating Council on Public Health emergencies:
1. Strengthening the ability to limit and control the spread of Covid-19, including establishing a “Covid-19 Asean Response Fund” proposed by Thailand, which will be used to purchase medical equipment and support research on treatment and vaccines.
2. Providing assistance to Asean nationals living in the region as well as in other countries.
3. Mitigating socioeconomic effects including coming up with an economic recovery plan once the pandemic ends so the Asean community can return to normal soon.
The meeting also discussed preparations for a special Asean Summit as well as an extraordinary Asean +3 meeting on Covid-19 via teleconferencing on April 14.