Prime Minister Scott Morrison noted that the investigation was not intended to blame any country, but only to prevent next pandemic.
More than 110 countries supported Australia’s call for an independent inquiry into the causes and circumstances of coronavirus proliferation worldwide. The Australian newspaper reported on Monday, citing Australia’s Foreign Minister Maris Payne.
The Foreign Minister noted that “the world wants to get answers to questions about the circumstances of the crisis, which caused the pandemic, in order to avoid such disasters in the future”. “We need an independent assessment of what happened [during the outbreak], the whole world could learn lessons and provide everything necessary to protect the global health system. This is primarily about cooperation to prevent the next pandemic and ensure the safety of our citizens,” Payne quotes the publication.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the investigation is not intended to blame any country.
“We just want to know what happened so that it doesn’t happen again. This is a fairly honest question with good faith and honest motive”, – Morrison said.
Canberra’s original proposal was supported by key countries in the world, including Russia, the United Kingdom, India, Indonesia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan and all 27 EU member states. A number of African countries later joined the call, bringing the total number of states supporting the investigation to 116. The countries’ decision in this regard is expected to be reflected in the resolution of the 73rd World Health Assembly, which will start at noon on Monday, Geneva time (1:00 pm). The draft resolution, among other things, requires “to initiate as soon as possible <…> a phased process of impartial, independent and comprehensive assessment” of the international response to the pandemic and WHO’s response to the situation.
Australia is expected to be represented during the Assembly by its Minister of Health, Greg Hunt. The meeting itself will be held for the first time by videoconference and will last until midnight. Ministers from the 194 Member States of the WHO and representatives of several international organizations have been invited to participate in the main forum of the World Health Organization (WHO).