Nordic development cooperation ministers voice support for WHO

The Nordic ministers for development cooperation jointly expressed their support for the work of the World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday.

In a joint social media entry, the ministers underlined the essential work done by the WHO "during these critical times."

The Nordic ministers gave the statement following a video consultation on Thursday, Ville Skinnari, Finnish Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, told the media in Helsinki.

The ministers noted that evaluation of the work the WHO has done will come later, and they believed now is the time for "more international cooperation and solidarity, and not less."

The statement came after the announcement early this week by U.S. President Donald Trump that the U.S. would suspend its funding to the WHO.

Also on Thursday, the UN Association of Finland, a non-governmental organization that promotes and supports the actions and principles of the United Nations, described the U.S. decision as an "incomprehensible action". Executive Director Helena Laukko said the U.S. move is "cruel play with human lives".

"Everyone should understand that as long as the virus has not been totally overcome, everyone remains in danger," Laukko told Finnish national broadcaster Yle. She said that the U.S. freezing of contributions to the WHO could affect vaccination programs, for example.

The Finnish government on Wednesday pledged to increase its funding for the WHO by restoring it to the 2015 level -- 5.5 million euros.

Meanwhile, Skinnari said on Thursday that trade will have a central role in helping the world get over the coronavirus crisis.

Speaking to the media following a video conference of the European Union (EU) Ministers for Trade, Skinnari said that for the EU to be stronger after the crisis, member countries must show solidarity to each other and have a joint view.

"Trade must remain free and protectionism avoided," he emphasized, adding that the EU can with its example contribute to the capabilities and development of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Skinnari said the Finnish government has formed a trade task force that monitors the trade functions despite the crisis.

"The ultimate impact on world trade of the coronavirus crisis depends fully on the length," he said, "Initially, coronavirus caused a shock on the supply side, but the next wave is the impact on demand, and a resulting decline in exports."

Skinnari noted that many participants in the video conference took up the quality and security of the global value chains, including food supplies. "Globalization has favored the EU and Finland, but we must diversify our production and be more prepared for various crises."

The minister told local media that Finland has given initial support to the Swedish initiative that the EU would do away the customs duties for medical equipment during the coronavirus crisis and that other barriers of trade in the medical equipment sector would also be investigated.