KATHMANDU, April 3: The ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) and more than 193 political parties from over the world have issued a joint open letter calling for a closer international cooperation to combat novel coronavirus.

In their ten-point joint letter, the major political parties of various countries called for closer international cooperation, coordinated policies, concerted actions, and mobilization of resources and forces globally will enable us to defeat this virus, according to a copy of the letter released by the NCP's Foreign Affairs Department in Kathmandu.

"We pay our loftiest tribute to all the people, health workers in particular, who devote themselves to saving lives and protecting people’s health. We extend our heartfelt sympathies and solicitude to those who are suffering from pain and whose lives are under the threat of COVID-19 as well as the bereaved families of those deceased. We also express our deep mourning for the unfortunate loss of lives in the outbreak," read the letter.

The political parties recognized that if the COVID-19 outbreak is not effectively and promptly contained, it will inflict even greater harm to the lives; safety and health of many more people, and exert a severe impact on the economic and social development of most countries as well as on international exchanges and cooperation.

Calling on all countries to put the lives, safety and health of the people above everything else and take resolute and forceful measures to put an end to the spread of COVID-19, the political parties said that they support countries to put in place contingency plans and strategies for combating COVID-19 in light of their specific national conditions and to strengthen cooperation, with equal emphasis on containing the further spread and on patient treatment.

"Meanwhile, modern science and technology must be applied to the full to ensure the quickest and best possible results," read the letter.

In their joint letter, the political parties from various countries said "We are aware that the virus respects no borders, and no country can respond to the challenges alone in the face of the outbreak."

In their statement, the parties also have taken note of the significant progress in the fight against COVID-19 in China and some other countries, which has bought time and offered experience to the rest of the international community.

"We highly commend countries including China for adopting an open, transparent and responsible attitude to disclosing related information in a timely fashion, sharing experience on response and patient treatment, and in particular providing medical and other supplies to the best of their ability to other affected countries. These represent a major contribution to the global fight against COVID-19, boosting the hope and confidence of countries that they can win this battle," read the joint letter.

While welcoming the Extraordinary G20 Leaders' Summit Statement on COVID-19 and support countries to strengthen the sharing of experience and medical cooperation in containing the outbreak, including joint research and development of specific medicines, vaccines and tests, the political parties from various countries called on the provision of material, technical and other support to developing countries and countries with vulnerable public health systems.

In their joint letter, the parties called for science-based professional discussions on issues like prevention measures and the origin of the virus.

"We strongly oppose the politicization of public health issues and the stigmatization of other countries under the excuse of COVID-19. We stand firmly against all discriminatory comments and practices against any country, region or ethnic group, and call on governments of all countries to take proactive measures to protect the health, safety and legitimate interests of foreign nationals and students they host," the statement says.

In their statement, the parties viewed that the COVID-19 outbreak has laid bare the need for all countries to further foster the global governance outlook of achieving shared growth through discussion and collaboration and to support the leading role of the United Nations and the World Health Organization in global public health governance.

"We call for all parties to enhance coordination and cooperation within the framework of the G20 and other international mechanisms for effective international prevention and control as we strive to build a global community with a shared future for public health," the statement states.

If the international community makes concerted efforts with confidence and resolve and takes a science-based and targeted approach, it will definitely win the final victory in the global blocking action against COVID-19, the statement says.

 
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