April 26, 2020
The COVID-19 global health pandemic is rapidly changing the ways we live and work. In the age of sustainable development and at a time when the world is working towards achieving the SDGs, this disease is complicating SDG implementation efforts as well as posing a real risk to achieving targets on communicable disease, education, life expectancy, and decent work.
This second virtual conference will examine the implications of COVID-19 for public health and the SDGs, as well as make recommendations on science-based responses. Over the course of 3 hours we will discuss successful public health interventions, how to ensure responses promote health equity and reduce inequality, and look at different scenarios for ending isolation and returning to normal. ISGlobal (Spain), Fiocruz (Brazil), and the Public Health Foundation of India will speak.
Prof. Phoebe Koundouri speaks about the global impact on Energy Transition at 5.30 EEST (Greece)
Here is the agenda of the webinar:
Introduction: An Overview of the Policy Issues
8:00 am New York / 2:00 pm Barcelona / 8:00 pm Beijing
- Dr. Jeffrey Sachs, University Professor, Columbia University & United Nations SDG Advocate
Part I: Comparative Public Health Interventions Against COVID-19
8:20 am New York / 2:20 pm Barcelona / 8:00 pm Beijing
This session will explore testing, case tracing, quarantine and isolation, use of online and mobile APPs, and public hygiene.
- Dr. Patrick Aboagye, Director General, Ghana Health Service
- Dr. Srinath Reddy, Public Health Foundation of India
Part II: Steps to Re-Open the Economy
9:20 am New York / 3:20 pm Barcelona / 9:20 pm Beijing
This session will explore options for phase-in strategy, workplace safety, detection of outbreaks, and continued limits on big events or travel.
- Ms. Mercedes Garcia Perez, Head, Global Issues and Innovation Sector, Delegation of the European Union to the United States of America
Part III: Promoting Health Equity and Reduce Inequality
9:50 am New York / 9:50 pm Barcelona / 9:50 pm Beijing
This session will look at disparities and affects on the unemployed, people living in poverty, migrants, the homeless, and different racial or ethnic backgrounds.
- Dr. Paulo Buss, Emeritus Director, Fiocruz
- Dr. Valérie Schmitt, Deputy Director, Social Protection Department, International Labour Organization
Part IV: Global Economic Impacts
10:30 am New York / 4:30 pm Barcelona / 10:30 pm Beijing
This session will explore the urgent needs for the world economy
- Dr. Laurence Boone, Chief Economist, OECD
- Dr. Carlos Gadelha, Coordinator of Prospection Actions, Fiocruz
- Dr. Phoebe Koundouri, Professor, Athens University of Economics and Business, and President-Elect, European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists
- Dr. Martin Muhleisen, Director of the Strategy, Policy, and Review Department, International Monetary Fund (IMF)
- Dr. Aniket Shah, Head of ESG and Sustainability Research for the Americas, UBS Group
- Dr. Maximo Torero Cullen, Assistant Director-General, Economic and Social Development Department, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
Part V: Closing Remarks
11:50 am New York / 5:50 pm Barcelona / 11:50 pm Beijing
- Dr. Jeffrey Sachs, University Professor, Columbia University & United Nations SDG Advocate
Find more here.
A summary of the event, which had 490 attendees, is available online,
as is a recording of the event, which has already been viewed by 900 people!