This is the hour for multilateralism, says Angela Merkel

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has reflected on the global impact of COVID-19, as well as plans for economic recovery, arguing that ‘this is the hour for multilateralism’.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel speaking during an all-virtual World Economic Forum on Tuesday. Picture: AFP

In a virtual address to the World Economic Forum, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has reflected on the global impact of COVID-19, as well as plans for economic recovery, arguing that “this is the hour for multilateralism”.

While Mrs Merkel praised the success of vaccine programs around the world and the resilience of the German healthcare system, she said the pandemic is “like a natural disaster that appears only once in a century”.

“It has exposed deep weaknesses which cannot be overlooked.”

Mrs Merkel emphasised how a lack of speed and digitalisation in societies have left “local health services and particularly education” vulnerable and highly exposed.

As well as focusing on the failures of global supply chains, Mrs Merkel stressed the need for greater transparency between nations in times of crisis.

The trend towards isolation, rather than co-operation, she said, would not help in the recovery.

“Industrialised nations have become too inward looking,” she said. “Shutting themselves off against others will not help tackle either the climate crisis or COVID-19.”

Asked about climate change and the Paris Agreement, Mrs Merkel said Europe could be the first climate-neutral continent and develop ways it could achieve a 55 per cent reduction in emissions.

On the World Health Organisation’s investigation into the outbreak of the virus in China, Mrs Merkel said “we ought to look ahead and let the WHO draw its own conclusions”.

Mrs Merkel’s speech comes after the election of Armin Laschet as leader of Germany’s Christian Democrats earlier this month.

Mr Laschet, who is currently premier of North Rhine-Westphalia state, defeated two rivals in the party’s last virtual conference. He is now in a strong position to succeed Mrs Merkel who is due to step down in September, after four terms and a total of 16 years in office.