World Economic Forum convenes global business for COVID Action Platform

The World Economic Forum and the WHO has launched the first platform to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 to operate across the globe

The platform is intended to catalyse private-sector support for the global public health response to COVID-19, and to do so at the scale and speed required to protect lives and livelihoods, aiming to find ways to help end the global emergency as soon as possible. The COVID Action Platform will focus on three priorities, including galvanising the global business community for collective action, protecting people’s livelihoods and facilitating business continuity and mobilising co-operation and business support for COVID-19 response.

The COVID Action Platform is open to all global businesses and industry groups, as well as other stakeholders to team up with governments on their response. The platform will operate a network where CEOs, organisational leaders, and designated COVID-19 corporate responders can offer their help and team up on specific projects, launch actions, and keep each other informed of best practices.

“COVID-19 is causing health emergencies and economic disruptions that no single stakeholder can address,” said Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum. “Our best and only response to it should be to take concerted action. The COVID Action Platform is at the centre of our mission and we draw upon all our members and partners, communities, and capabilities to make it a success.”

Meanwhile, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the WHO, said, “The private sector has an essential role to play in combating this public health crisis through their expertise, innovation, and resources. We call on companies and organisations around the world to make full use of this platform in support of the global public health response to COVID-19.”

The COVID Action Platform was conceived after a World Economic Forum conference call with over 200 corporate leaders from all over the world. It is supported by the WHO and the Welcome Trust and is the first initiative of its kind operating globally. The World Economic Forum has established a special team to support the platform’s work.