The deep void in global leadership (The world seeks leadership to battle the pandemic)

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 The deep void in global leadership (The world seeks leadership to battle the pandemic)

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• Total void in global leadership: Right into this pandemic, the world is witnessing a void in global leadership. The virus is killing without mercy, but there is no comprehensive global plan, led by leaders, to fight it.
• The G20 effort: The virtual meeting of G20 committed $5 trillion to stimulate world economy. But economic stimulus is one small part of the big battle against COVID-19. This is a good war against a bad enemy, and a common enemy, that respects no borders.
• What's going on: Leaders are stuck in their own national struggles right now, and are not viewing the pandemic as a challenge to mankind.

1. China delayed its virus reporting to WHO, and made the crisis far worse
2. Trump didn't inform EU before shutting off the flights from Europe
3. Modi convened a video conference of SAARC leaders to motivate everyone
4. But today, there's no sign that the pandemic is slowing down worldwide

• Why shutdowns are not a solution: Nations won't be able to contain this trouble by lockdowns and shutdowns alone. Even rich nations are finding 'physical distancing' tough to maintain, and in populous countries, it would be impossible.

1. The cost of lockdowns is terrible - social and economic
2. The moment international travel restarts, the virus may simply restart its journey
3. It is only when herd immunity develops that the world will become much safer (that means > 50% of world population getting infected)
4. COVID-19 is the third pandemic since 2000. It won't be the last. 

• Two problems in global system: The past 10 years have seen the world political system beset with two issues.

1. Right wing nationalism - this has swept the world, and any 'global good' is seen as a challenge to national interests. When Trump pulled the US out of the Paris Climate Deal, this problem became evident.
2. Multilateral institutions weakened - After the second world war, the UN came into being to prevent a third world war. Sadly, the UN stands badly weakened now.
3. The WHO (a UN body) has been slow in responding to health emergencies. COVID-19 crisis showed it to be incompetent as well as lacking integrity.

• Can G20 deliver: To tackle a COVID-19 like crisis, the world needs a small, fast and unbureaucratic approach. The G20 can try to do it rapidly. But the right strategy, rapid resources mobilisation and timely action will be needed.
• Collective action points: Here is a proposed plan -

1. FIRST - All nations must be helped to get enough drugs, medicines, protective gear to contain COVID-19, otherwise everyone else will eventually suffer. Nations like Japan, China, S Korea have the ability to step up production. Build a non-bureaucratic common global information exchange.
2. SECOND - Build a supply chain for essential goods to keep working efficiently. Since global travel bans are in place, this is all the more essential.
3. THIRD - Share all true information about clinical successes in fighting this virus. The HCQ drug related developments, as an example, can help everyone (though there's no substitute for classic clinical proof)
4. FOURTH - Go for cross-country collaboration on lab trials and clinical validation for vaccines and anti-viral drugs. The pandemic may make a comeback once shutdowns are relaxed.
5. FIFTH - Allow health professionals easy movement across the world to train others.
6. SIXTH - Food shortages may happen, as part of national shutdowns. So even after saving people from the virus, deaths from starvation need to be avoided at all costs. And then will come the economic devastation.

• Summary: The world needs to come together to manage currencies, commodities and world trade. It's now or never. India must galvanise world opinion.
• The world needs global leadership like never before, as the virus containment efforts should not lead to a starvation like situation, or collapse of world economy.

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