MONARCHY OF NORWAY

UNITED NATIONS
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL
‘Repercussions of COVID-19 in Developing Countries’
Nadhira Yasmin Firras Amany
The COVID-19 pandemic had an effect on various aspects of the state including the economy and social.
The economic crisis and social impact that occurred in various countries became a big challenge for the
government because the impact was very fatal for local life. At times like this, strong leadership is needed.
The steps must be immediately implemented and adjusted to the existing conditions. Long and medium term
planning is needed to balance the economy. Broad social and economic development plans and sector-by-
sector plans must be immediately considered so that domestic business can continue. The government and
financial institutions should re-evaluate the situation so that the common goals can be achieved.
Governments in each country must be swift in handling this matter, they should immediately find ideas to
restore the country's economy to a stable state, but countries cannot do it alone. For example, if developing
countries with abundant natural resources but their economy is hampered and cannot supply global needs,
then developed countries that do not have that, will also be affected. That is why, every country requires
both solidarity and global coordination.
According to [ CITATION Dav20 \l 1057 ] , the first coronavirus case in Norway was registered in a resident of
Tromsø on 26 February. The individual had recently returned from China. They were not seriously ill and
were placed under home quarantine. Many of the early cases were recorded in the Oslo region. Just a couple
of weeks after the first known infection in Norway, the Norwegian government took drastic steps. They
introduced the strictest emergency measures ever seen outside of wartime. Previously, Norway's Directorate
of Health said there were plans in place that would cover a scenario whereby up to 25% of Norway's
population became infected. In this scenario, other hospital treatment would have to be postponed to enable
hundreds of thousands of additional patients to be treated. All service institutions have been closed except
for supermarkets and pharmacies which are the main needs at the time of this pandemic.
At present ECOSOC is faced with a unique crisis that has consequences in all aspects and this crisis is
global. When ECOSOC began the Decade of Action and Dispatch for Sustainable Development Goals, they
faced challenges that had never happened before and could not be predicted. The ECOSOC president stated
that the United Nations must take coherent steps and not be based solely on accurate information. As
President of ECOSOC, I have the responsibility to ensure the continued work of the entire ECOSOC
ecosystem. Through the critical work of the organs of ECOSOC's subsidiaries and their experts, the UN
must always ensure that human health and safety are our top priority. Be it delegates, United Nations staff -
both local and international - or UN partners who continue to carry out important tasks throughout the
world. The ECOSOC Bureau has proposed a large scale reduction and cancellation of several substantial
ECOSOC meetings.
As UN secretary general, Antonio Guterres has underlined that COVID-19 was the greatest test since the
first UN was created. Therefore, several countries such as Ghana, Indonesia, Liechtenstein, Norway,
Singapore and Switzerland have jointly made the first resolution to combat this pandemic which is now
known as Global Solidarity to fight the Coronavirus disease 2019. While a resolution on the given crisis of
the day is to be expected from the UN, this one represents much more. It is a signal of global solidarity. It is
a show of force. It is the first intergovernmental statement from the UN on COVID-19, but it certainly will
not be the last. This human crisis has proven to be a monumental national challenge for every government to
reallocate resources and reformulate priorities. On the front line, meanwhile, our healthcare professionals
and other essential workers are risking their lives – literally, to save humanity.
The UN system, in particular the World Health Organization, plays a central role in mobilizing and
coordinating the worldwide response to this pandemic and in supporting national efforts. It is imperative to
underscore that personal and individual efforts are required to complement the national and international
response to the pandemic. We are therefore reminded that the first front line in the fight against COVID-19
is our own front door, hence the call on people to stay at home for containment. It is vitally important that
every individual adheres to the social distancing and enhanced hygiene protocols. The challenges we face
remain vast (Botchwey et.al , 2020).
The Norwegian government has introduced significant measures to support jobs, help businesses and people,
and strengthen health services. Still, more may be needed in the coming weeks. The measures must be
targeted, effective and reversible. Norwegian measures have been introduced in several steps, with previous
proposals to the parliament (Stortinget) on March 13 and March 20. There is broad political cooperation
between the Government and the other parties in Stortinget. On 27 March, the Government proposed further
measures to Stortinget, including a new scheme for cash pay-outs to otherwise sustainable businesses that
are severely affected by measures to contain the pandemic. The budget is estimated to be further weakened
by close to NOK 60 billion by reduced tax revenues and higher expenses due to the economic downturn . In
addition, the guarantee schemes for SMEs and the Government Bond Fund contributes with at least NOK
100 billion. Norwegian government has many steps which they adopted and proposed include, Measures
aimed at business and industries, Airlines-related measures, Guarantee and loan schemes for
businesses, and Measures aimed at persons (Ministry of Finance, 2020). In my opinion, what has been
done by the Norwegian government is very helpful in reducing COVID-19 cases in the country. This can be
seen from the data reported by worldometers, the web shows the active case of COVID-19 which is
increasingly falling drastically. In fact, on May 22, the number of sufferers was at its lowest. Therefore,
governments of other countries can apply the regulations set by the Norwegian government and be followed
by evaluations and adjustments to their respective countries.
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