PM to join virtual regional conference on COVID-19 today

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will join a virtual conference today on bolstering regional cooperation to offset the economic impact on South Asia in view of the coronavirus outbreak.

"The prime minister will join the virtual conference titled 'Enhancing regional cooperation in South Asia to combat COVID-19-related impact on its economics' from her official Ganabhaban residence this evening," PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim told BSS.

The press secretary said the prime minister will deliver her opening remarks on "Bangladesh-Building Regional Resilience to fight COVID-19" in the conference.

The conference will start at 7pm with the welcome speech by World Economic Forum (WEF) President Borge Brende.

World Health Organization's Regional Director for South-East Asia Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh will later give special briefing over the COVID-19 situation and the measures to be taken to fight the crisis arising out of the pandemic.

Head of WEF's Shaping the Future of Health and Healthcare Arnaud Bernaert will provide important insights over the coronavirus situation from the Forum's Healthcare Community.

Finally, the moderator will open the floor and call upon relevant contributors to share their views for the participants who are members of the Regional Action Group for the South Asia.

The conference will be wrapped up with the summary of highlights and next steps from the WEF.