Solidarity and equity are key foundations for effective global pandemic prevention and response, said Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah at the ASEAN Finance and Health Ministers’ Meetings (AFHMM) in Jakarta, Indonesia recently.
The minister added that this was particularly needed to ensure fair access to medical supplies and countermeasures.
He also touched on the importance of strengthening the global medical supply chain and called for a more coordinated global early warning health system.
Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar also attended the session virtually.
The AFHMM discussed possible areas of collaboration among ASEAN finance and health authorities to strengthen the region’s health capacity.
After the AFHMM, Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew attended the 10th ASEAN Finance Ministers’ and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting (AFMGM) and Related Meetings also hosted by Indonesia.
Brunei Darussalam Central Bank Managing Director Hajah Rokiah binti Haji Badar was also present.
As part of the AFMGM programme, the minister also attended the High-Level Dialogue (HLD) on Promoting Sustainable Infrastructure Development as a panellist.
The HLD discussed perspectives on infrastructure investment gaps and opportunities in ASEAN, particularly key enablers to foster infrastructure financing needs and the private sector’s participation in ASEAN’s infrastructure agenda.
Meanwhile, at the AFMGM plenary session, ASEAN ministers and governors discussed the global and regional outlook as well as the progress of regional cooperation. – James Kon