UNITED NATIONS, March 24 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has asked the Group of 20 (G20), the largest economies of the world, to assume leadership in the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a letter to G20 leaders dated March 23, Guterres asked them to coordinate action to suppress the virus that causes COVID-19, to mitigate the social and economic impact of the pandemic, and to make sure that the global economy will recover in a more inclusive and sustainable way.

Guterres' spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Tuesday that a virtual G20 summit will be held on Thursday morning U.S. Eastern Time. Guterres himself will speak at the virtual summit.

The G20 leaders have an extraordinary opportunity to step forward with a strong response package to address the various threats of COVID-19, Guterres wrote in the letter, which was released on Tuesday. "This would demonstrate solidarity with the world's people, especially the most vulnerable."

COVID-19 will require a response like none before -- a "wartime" plan in times of human crisis, he said.

The first priority is to tackle the pandemic everywhere, to let people feel safe anywhere. It must be clear that the strategy is a coordinated suppression of the virus, said Guterres.

"I call on G20 leaders to establish an articulated response mechanism guided by the World Health Organization to achieve suppression together."

Such a mechanism would strengthen the global response and provide countries with stronger capabilities to stop transmission. It would also help enhance scientific collaboration in the search for a vaccine and therapeutic treatment, he said.

There is also the need for a continued global effort to better determine the emerging needs for medical and protective equipment, increase and help procure critical supplies, and establish additional transportation and supply chains to fight the virus across all borders.

He asked for efforts to create the conditions and mobilize the resources necessary to ensure that developing countries have equal opportunities to respond to this crisis.

"Let us remember that we are only as strong as the weakest health system in our interconnected world," he warned.

He asked G20 leaders to commit to banning tariffs, quotas or non-tariff measures, and removing restrictions on cross-border trade that affect the deployment of medical equipment, medicines and other essential goods to fight the epidemic.

He encouraged the waiving of sanctions imposed on countries to ensure access to food, essential health supplies, and COVID-19 medical support.

Guterres also asked G20 leaders to help minimize the social and economic impact of COVID-19 for everyone and stimulate a faster recovery everywhere.

By the end of this year, the cost of this pandemic is likely to be measured in the trillions of U.S. dollars. The response of G20 leaders must be decisive and commensurate. It must inject massive resources into economies, reaching double-digit percentage points in the world's gross domestic product, said Guterres.

He warned them that "business-as-usual" economic rules and policy tools will no longer apply as the virus has created unprecedented challenges.

Unlike in 2008, this is not a banking crisis. While the liquidity of the financial system must be guaranteed, there is a need to focus on people: families, low-wage workers, small and medium-sized enterprises and the informal sector, said Guterres.

Important steps have already been taken by developed countries in this direction, but more needs to be done, he said. "I urge G20 leaders to consider the urgent launch of a large-scale, coordinated stimulus package in the trillions of dollars to target the direct provision of resources to businesses, workers and households in those countries unable to do so alone."

Such a package would include scaling up cash transfer measures, social protection, tax abatement, fiscal stimulus, low interest rates, access to credit, insurance and wage support schemes, said Guterres.

He asked G20 leaders to reaffirm their common responsibility to recover better, with more inclusive and sustainable models of development.

The world has agreed on a framework for action -- the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on climate change -- and they continue to offer a guiding light for people and the planet, he said. "We must ensure that the recovery strategy out of this crisis keeps us on track toward these longer-term objectives, building a sustainable and inclusive economy."

The upcoming virtual summit allows G20 leaders to make a decisive step forward in the global battle against COVID-19 and re-establish trust in public institutions and the hope for a better future in solidarity, he said.

"I am convinced that only international coordination can avoid a worst-case scenario. A unified message of concerted action from G20 leaders is needed now more than ever." Enditem

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