‘Qatar has shown the power of international solidarity in battling COVID-19’, says QF professor

As the most severe global pandemic in more than 100 years, COVID-19 does not distinguish between countries’ cultural or ethnic differences.

Dr. Andreas Rechkemmer, Professor at the College of Public Policy at Hamad Bin Khalifa University – a member of QF – says that the extent of the pandemic emphasizes how cooperation and teamwork is essential to overcoming it.

“There have now officially been recorded and documented outbreaks in over 210 countries and territories, and this is an entirely unprecedented spread of a disease, and unique in the history of the United Nations,” he explained. “Therefore, the only chance we possess of overcoming this crisis is for all countries, all over the world, to stand up together in the face of this pandemic.

“There is no prospect of dealing with this situation successfully if countries worldwide resist opportunities for cooperation and decide to simply make their own needs a priority, regardless of those of other countries. If this happens, it will backfire very badly.”

Qatar’s support for the global fight against COVID-19 was again illustrated this week when His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced the country’s USD10 million pledge to the World Health Organization to support the provision of testing equipment and treatment for the disease, as well as the search for a vaccine. The nation has also contributed USD20 million to the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization.

“Over recent weeks and months, Qatar has clearly supported the principles of international cooperation and solidarity, meaning it is considered an important global player and global partner due to its close relationships with many countries around the world.

“An example of this is visible in relations between Qatar and Europe, as we have seen concerted efforts from Qatar to provide assistance and also collaboration in the fields of emergency response and research and development with the aim of addressing the crisis.”

As Dr. Rechkemmer says, addressing the COVID-19 crisis depends on developing an effective vaccine and taking measures and precautions to try to contain the spread of the virus. “The ability to adapt, flatten the curve of infections, or simply buying ourselves time is not enough to solve the problem,” he said. “That is why resolving the crisis requires partnership and cooperation between nations throughout the world.”

"There is strong cooperation between Qatari and European institutions, where Qatar Biomedical Research Institute [part of HBKU] participated in vaccine development and testing. In the context of research, development and innovation, Qatar is considered a reliable partner by many research centers – there has, for example, been strong collaboration between QF and other Qatari entities and Italian laboratories, the University of Oxford and UCL in London.

“The College of Science and Engineering at HBKU, in cooperation with Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), has conducted a great deal of research with partner countries in Europe, as well as tackling and monitoring the development of AI applications, strategies, and simulations, which are now becoming very important in making significant decisions.”

From a humanitarian standpoint, Dr. Rechkemmer pointed to the way in which Qatar has focused its support toward countries that require urgent assistance in Europe and in the Middle East, saying: "There was strong solidarity with Italy when Qatar delivered thousands of beds to set up field hospitals in Rome.”

"This kind of solidarity and generosity is not only limited to humanitarian assistance, but also includes the exchange of information and outcomes and making them available to all, as well as the coordination of monetary and fiscal policies related to trade.” “It is also important to meet and respond to social needs, including maintaining education systems through technology, as well ensuring employment is protected.”

"Since the beginning of this year, there has been a rapid response of bilateral cooperation between Qatar and the European partner countries, in terms of intensifying efforts to ensure that supply chains are maintained between Qatar and Europe. These relations have proven resilient under the current circumstances, stressing that bilateral cooperation is working well.”

"The assistance that Qatar has provided and the solidarity it has shown to other countries has helped these nations’ efforts to respond to this crisis, and this definitely reflects a remarkably positive approach from Qatar.”