Pandemic an all-for-one challenge

For all the cracks the COVID-19 pandemic has caused in state-to-state relations and the multilateral international governance mechanisms, the Coronavirus Global Response International Pledging Conference on Monday, organized by the European Union, was a precious show of solidarity and shared sense of urgency.

That it raised 7.4 billion euros ($8.06 billion) in a matter of hours, and that donations came from national governments, international organizations as well as philanthropic entities and concerned individuals were inspiring signs of a strong sense of community.

A big thank you to the organizers, participants and contributors for the generous financial commitments they have made. But more importantly, for the fine example they set together. They offered a ray of hope that there is a much needed sense of solidarity.

While the pandemic situation has eased in some countries and a growing number of them are beginning to lift their lockdowns and "restart" their economies, the virus continues to spread in others, and the damage it may do to some developing nations that are ill-equipped to meet such a challenge, and where the pandemic may still be in an early stage, remains to be seen.

The novel coronavirus has proven itself a dangerous enemy no country can overcome all on its own. It is a global threat requiring a global response. But the response has been poorly coordinated.

This certainly has to do with the existing system for global public health governance, which will no doubt be a post-pandemic topic for discussion. But it will be self-defeating to look aside from the geopolitical wrangling that has been obstructing international collaboration to overcome this common threat.

It is disappointing that when the crisis cries out for global leadership, the key global public health watchdog has found itself in financial paralysis owing to its biggest sponsor suspending its funding.

As conspicuous as the handsome financial commitments that were pledged at Monday's event was the United States' non-participation.

What was achieved on Monday was only an initial step toward financing meaningful global endeavors from vaccine and treatment research to pandemic preparedness. Five times the amount raised on Monday may be necessary for what UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the most massive public health efforts in history.

The still grim global pandemic situation needs the world's two largest economies to put aside their quarrel and concentrate instead on this very real and present danger.