SIPRI Chief: More Pandemics Like COVID-19 Coming; Intl. Cooperation Needed

“I very much doubt the current COVID-19 pandemic is a once-in-a-generation crisis. Unless far-reaching changes are made in how all modern economies function, I agree with those analyses that indicate a high likelihood that there will be further pandemics. We are beginning to see the worldwide economic impact of this pandemic. We are seeing also significant social and social-psychological,” Dan Smith told Tasnim on Monday when asked about the coronavirus, which is ravaging the entire world.

“Most governments were ill prepared for this pandemic and the response of many has been deficient. This will have a negative effect on the stability of international relations. We may therefore hope and should certainly work for governments and international organizations to be better prepared for the next pandemic”.

The SIPRI chief said in order to be better prepared, international cooperation and open sharing of sensitive information needs to improve.

“The same is true of the responses that are required to decrease cyber vulnerability, likewise to reduce greenhouse gas emissions so as to avoid the worst of global warming and equally to adapt to the effects of the climate change that is already inevitable,” he said.

Smith further called on the international community and great powers to step up their cooperation at this juncture.

“Unfortunately, the appetite for cooperation has declined among the great powers, along with a declining aspect for international law. Re-establishing respect for law and for the norms that underlie international cooperation is an essential task of our time,” he said.

The number of people infected with COVID-19 across the world has surpassed 18.2 million and the death toll has exceeded 693،000.