COVID-19, Multilateralism and Human Security: Situating the Nature and Scope of ‘Global Health Diplomacy’ (GHD)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37540/njips.v5i2.134Keywords:
Multilateralism, human security, global health diplomacy, COVID 19Abstract
COVID-19 has yielded serious consequences globally, including severe damages to the economic, social, and health sectors around the world. The ensuing global crisis has made states realize that Non-Traditional Security (NTS) threats such as pandemics and diseases do not discriminate between territorial boundaries. Hence, they cannot be dealt with in isolation but by creating a mutual ground and impetus for coordination and collaboration within the international system. This research paper outlines the revival of global health diplomacy (GHD) as grounds for reforming multilateral global governance institutions under the umbrella of ‘human security’. In doing so, it lists vital GHD initiatives during COVID-19 by state and non-state actors while highlighting the need for continued collaboration in the post-pandemic recovery phase. Additionally, the present study takes the case of Pakistan, a developing state with extremely fragile health and economic infrastructure, to showcase the importance of humanitarian and developmental assistance in ensuing ‘human security.’
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