International Response to COVID-19: Initiatives and Declarations by the UN, Who, Wco, WTO and Other Stakeholders on World Trade, Customs Law and Solidarity in a Human Emergency
LEX HUMANITARIAE 2020, Vol. I, No. III, 9-21.
Posted: 5 Aug 2020
Date Written: July 28, 2020
Abstract
The worldwide spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus from Wuhan, Hubei province, China, in 188 countries (according to WHO figures: 216 countries, territories and economic areas) represents an unprecedented threat to Global Health and Global Trade in the times of Globalization. The virus triggers COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019), which can range from a symptom-free course to severe respiratory syndrome (pneumonia) and affect other organ systems as well. More than 10 million persons were infected worldwide in the end of June 2020, more than 500,000 persons die from COVID-19 (as of 30 June 2020) – a truly global pandemic spread. The United Nations (UN), World Health Organization (WHO), The Food and Agricultural Organization of the UN (FAO), World Trade Organization (WTO), World Customs Organization (WCO) and its stakeholders and partners have in the light of the global COVID-19 pandemic joined forces and developed joined trade policies and legal approaches and declarations in order to combat the social and economic impact COVID-19. This paper gives an overview of the initiatives and different approaches and sorts them in different categories: (Joint) Declarations, Lists / Databases, Reports, Guidance, Warnings and Press Releases.
Keywords: International Organizations, SARS-CoV-2, Emergency, Response, WTO, WHO, WCO, UN
JEL Classification: K33, K34
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation