Press Release – Book Launch on “The Covid Challenge: Impact on the Middle East & Africa”

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PRESS RELEASE

Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East & Africa (CAMEA)
Book Launch
The Covid Challenge: Impact on the Middle East & Africa
12 April, 2021

The Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East & Africa (CAMEA) at the Institute of Strategic Studies (ISSI) had the official launch of its first edited book titled, ‘The Covid Challenge: Impact on Middle East & Africa’ today. The Keynote address was delivered by Dr. Sania Nishtar, Special Assistant of Pakistan’s Prime Minister and Federal Minister, Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Ministry. The Chief Guest on the occasion was Mr. Shafqat Mahmood, Federal Minister for Education. Other distinguished discussants included: Dr. Khalid Hussain Memon, Special Secretary Middle East, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pakistan; Mr. Ali Javed, Additional Secretary Africa, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pakistan and Ambassador Rizwan- ul-Haq Mahmood, Former Pakistani Diplomat to Muscat, Abu Dhabi & Jeddah. The launch was attended by former ambassadors, members of the diplomatic corps, academics, students and media personnel.

Through fifteen descriptive chapters, ‘The Covid Challenge: Impact on the Middle East & Africa’ seeks to cover the complex interplay of geopolitics, healthcare, regional power dynamics, economy and conflicts under the broader theme of Covid-19.

During her remarks, Dr. Sania Nishtar congratulated ISSI and CAMEA for a job well done. She outlined the importance of pursuing intellectual pursuits. She talked about Pakistan’s response to Covid which she said was noteworthy. She highlighted how over the last year Pakistan exponentially used its health care’s capacities and through efficient coordination delivered an economic response and health response which is very well delivered and noteworthy. She highlighted that the digital intervention system as well as  biometric payments are examples of this response.  She stated that the pandemic has helped cement the bond between ordinary citizens.  Dr Nishtar said that she was  proud to be a part of a government which has helped provide relief to the masses.

The Chief Guest, Mr. Shafqat Mahmood appreciated ISSI for the publishing of this book which he called a consolidated effort. He highlighted how Pakistan has been coping with the covid situation and lauded  Dr. Sania Nishtar’s efforts regarding Pakistan’s social protection programme. He went on to emphasize the importance of social media and how the Pakistan Government faced a very challenging situation in the education sector because things were not clear initially. Outlining the efforts of his ministry he spoke about the collective decisions from all provinces to set a proper formula for examination and about the special initiatives undertaken in this regard such as  the teleschool and radio school. He also earmarked the chapters which he thought were relevant to Pakistan. These included a chapter on fake news and refugees.

Dr. Khalid Hussain Memon outlined how the Middle East and African region require dedicated focus particularly because of its geostrategic importance. He said that this book documents and brings together the devastation caused by Covid in different aspects such as health and economy. It delves into the complexities posed by the pandemic, and assembles the socio-economic impact of this virus with deep insight and relevant statistics. CAMEA’s  book presents a holistic understanding of the region and purports the necessity of the international community to act, he concluded.

Mr. Ali Javed elucidated how the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pakistan has been working tirelessly to  bring back Pakistanis stranded in the Middle East and African region . Given the destruction caused by Covid, the world should now be cognizant of whether the right systems are in place to tackle  any future pandemic. Regarding research, he said it is important that Pakistan’s perspective must be part of everything. The Covid19 pandemic has also brought forth the fact that Pakistan has yet to establish any bilateral relations with any of the eight regional blocs in Africa and has also necessitated that more research is required on the workings of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), he concluded.

Ambassador Rizwan- ul-Haq said that the Covid19 has created a global crisis. The shock of the worldwide economic situation has had a hard impact on the world at large. It has some universal elements which are common to all nations. The Covid19 has had two clearly marked effects on our lives. Some internationally recognized changes include realignment of health and monetary policies to combat this menace and diverting medical research focus to find a cure of Covid19. Concurrently, the world found new ways and means towards digitalization. It has also brought forth the realisation that affluent countries and international financial institutions must inject more funds to enable these countries to counter Covid19.

Earlier during his welcome remarks, Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry. Director General ISSI, congratulated CAMEA and outlined how ISSI  has created a vision of which the edited books are a part of. He said that this book is a diverse read and provides a silver lining for a world that is now rediscovering the importance of cooperating with each other.

While introducing the book Ms. Amina Khan, Director CAMEA said that when the Coronavirus pandemic took the world by storm in 2020, everyday life came to a standstill. While the pandemic has become the ‘new normal’, it has increased our yearning to return to normalcy. As editor of the book, I have been fortunate to receive diverse views and analyses on this very important subject that brings forth relevant and well-rounded discourse on the topic in question. This book is CAMEA’s humble attempt to make sense of this collective quandary gripping humanity all over the world. While the future remains fairly uncertain still, valuable lessons have been learnt, such as the necessity of working together, not taking things for granted and understanding that no matter how meticulously we prepare, some challenges will still blindside us. In short, we should not let the pandemic rob us of our sense of humanity.

At the conclusion of the event, Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman ISSI presented the Institute’s shields to the distinguished guests.