Deputy Prime Minister co-chairs UN meeting on the international response to the COVID-19 pandemic

September 8, 2020 - Ottawa, Ontario - Department of Finance Canada

Today, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, issued the following statement:

“Together with the Minister of Finance and the Public Service of Jamaica and the United Nations Deputy Secretary General, today I co-chaired a meeting of Finance Ministers from around the world to discuss proposals for the international community’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This was a follow-up to the High-Level Event on Financing for Development in the Era of COVID-19 and Beyond, led by the Canadian and Jamaican Prime Ministers and the United Nations Secretary General, on May 28, 2020. Six discussion groups have since been established to develop concrete proposals to support developing countries as they cope with the pandemic.

“The outcomes of today’s discussions will be reported back to national leaders at the end of September. The work we’ve done today will help advance an equitable and sustainable economic recovery for everyone from COVID-19. I am grateful to all those participating in this important process for their hard work. Now is the time to work together for the common good.

“Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Canada has taken a range of measures to protect Canadians’ health and our economy. We will continue to be there for Canadians in the months ahead.”