This is a tragic period, but also an opportunity to begin. Armen Sarkissian

The President of the Republic, Armen Sarkissian, participated today in an online webinar organized by the Foundation for Armenian Science and Technology (FAST) on the topic of "COVID-19: Successes and pathways of global cooperation."

The webinar also featured Lord Ara Darzi, Director of the Institute of Global Health Innovation at Imperial College London, Nubar Afeyan, Co-founder and President of the FAST foundation and Co-founder of Moderna, Deputy Minister of Health Anahit Avanesyan, Dean of the School of Public Health at the American University of Armenia, Professor Varduhi Petrosyan, Professor Hitoshi Oshita from Tohoku University in Japan, Director Tomochika Uiyama of the Office for Preparedness and Response to Coronavirus Disease at the Cabinet Secretariat of Japan, and Professor Karl Lauterbach, a health expert of the German Bundestag.

During the webinar, hosted by FAST Executive Director Armen Orujyan, President Sarkissian along with distinguished scientists and experts discussed the ways to overcome the coronavirus pandemic and also addressed the importance of cooperation among countries in fighting this global challenge.

President Armen Sarkissian, speaking about the situation caused by the pandemic, emphasized that it must be noted that this is likely not the last pandemic, and preparedness for future ones is essential. "Definitely, greater investments in healthcare and biology must be made globally. We understand that the world has changed, and the behavior of the virus corresponds to this new world. It is necessary to reshape and transform all the steps that were taken in the past," he stated.

The President described this situation as a crossroads, and any nation must understand which path it will choose. "Armenia is likewise standing at this crossroads, and thus must redefine and establish its priorities. There are priorities that are urgent. We must once again rethink the opportunity to present Armenia to the world, meaning an investment that would create the opportunity to disseminate information about Armenia so that investors understand why they should invest specifically in Armenia. The need for electronic governance will also increase. Education and e-health are becoming important," he noted.

According to President Sarkissian, alongside economic obstacles, food security issues will also arise, and they need to be addressed. "We must fight against the virus today while also looking at the economic difficulties that will emerge in the future. Perhaps some sectors of our economy will need to be reorganized," he remarked. "This is a tragic period, but also an opportunity to begin. If you are smart and have a vision for decision-making, this is a chance for a restart, a good restart. We will live in a new world full of challenges. Many phenomena will be revalued, and we must understand how to move forward. If we are smart, we will succeed."

Webinar participants presented their countries' experiences and measures taken in pandemic prevention. Nubar Afeyan shared updates on the development of the pandemic vaccine by Moderna.

Responding to a question about collaboration among countries against the pandemic and addressing the views presented, President Sarkissian emphasized the importance of scientific approaches. He noted that any government should have the capability to utilize scientists' opinions. "I am confident that in any country, political figures must first understand that this is a disastrous situation; therefore, they must set aside all disputes and unite in the fight against the enemy - the virus. I believe we can all agree that there is one truth, and that is science. Discipline is also very significant. Certainly, the success of combating the virus in Japan or Germany has been ensured by discipline," the President emphasized. "Another crucial point is the presence of a program, strategy, and vision. Vision and strategy are important in every sector of our lives. Therefore, we must be scientifically grounded, intelligent, precise, disciplined, well-organized, and have a clear strategy."

President Sarkissian also highlighted the importance of communication with the public. "It is essential to vocalize and present the truth and scientific approaches. Trust is very important, especially during a pandemic. People must trust the government and ministers; if they do not, issues will arise," he stressed. "There must be an action plan in advance. Every individual must receive support from the state, government, in an equal proportion so that everyone considers that fair compensation has taken place. The same issue may be more expensive to solve tomorrow than today."

The President assessed that the world currently is living in uncertainty. "Uncertainty exists in all areas. We must understand that we really do not have sufficient information. We are conscious inhabitants of this planet, and we must learn to coexist with viruses, to control them. Hundreds of years ago, Isaac Newton said, 'I am but a child playing on the seashore, while the great ocean of truth lies undiscovered before me.' Those undiscovered oceans of truth exist today as well, and the pandemic is one of those oceans. Therefore, there is much yet to reveal in the future."

Upon the President's suggestion, international scientists participating in the webinar shared their professional advice with Armenia.