ICC calls on G20 leaders for free flow of medical supplies amid coronavirus surge
The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has issued a call for G20 leaders to urgently agree on a comprehensive global action plan to address the escalating COVID-19 outbreak, and restore confidence and stability to the global economy.
In a letter to Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz who is the rotating president of G20, ICC Chair Paul Polman and Secretary General John W.H. Denton AO called for G20 leaders to agree on coordinated steps to “ensure access to essential medical supplies, scale public health financing to tackle COVID-19 and restore confidence and stability in the global economy”.
The ICC believes that coordinated action among the world’s largest economies is urgently needed to boost ongoing efforts to manage the spread of the outbreak, the letter reads.
The ICC has expressed particular concerns about the growing impact of trade policy measures on the availability of medical supplies needed to respond to the pandemic.
The organisation has called on G20 leaders to show urgent leadership by committing to avoiding export bans or limits on the free flow of all necessary medical supplies, medicines, disinfectant, soap and personal protective equipment.
The ICC has also asked for reversing existing export bans on medical supplies needed to tackle COVID-19 and reducing the costs of all necessary medical supplies by lifting import taxes, quotas and other government-imposed costs.
We are the institutional representative of more than 45 million companies in over 100 countries with a mission to make business work for everyone, every day, everywhere.
The International Chamber of Commerce is institutional representative of more than 45 million companies and chambers of commerce in over 100 countries.