MARGARET CHAN, Dean of Tsinghua University Vanke School of Public Health, Former Director-General of WHO,  spoke at the launching ceremony of Institute for Global Health and Development, Peking University (PKU-iGHD) and the Beijing Forum 2020: COVID-19 Shocks to Global Health and

President of Peking University Hao Ping, and of course my very good friend Professor Gordon Liu, distinguished guests, friends and colleagues, good morning to all of you.

Thank you very much for the invitation. It is a great pleasure to speak on the launching ceremony of Peking University Institute for Global Health and Development as well as the Beijing Forum 2020: COVID-19 Shock to Global Health and Development. On behalf of Tsinghua University, I would like to express my heartfelt congratulations on the founding of the Peking University Institute for Global Health and Development.

In a world of mobility, economic interdependence, and electronic interconnectedness, the COVID-19 pandemic has left no country untouched, soften health, soften economics, and also business continuity reverberates around the world. This disruption threatens to unwind decades of progress in development.

COVID-19 has cost and will continue to cost severe impact on people's lives and livelihoods, on a country's economy, stability, and governance. Never before has global cooperation and partnership been more needed and critical than now. Countries of the world must join hands to overcome this growing health threat, overcome problems, and work together to build back stronger and more resilient systems, including health, development, and international cooperation in the post-pandemic era.

I am delighted that the institute that studies global health in the framework of human development, exploring solutions to major health issues around the world, promoting China's experience and China's active participation and contribution in global health and development.

As the inaugural dean from the Tsinghua University Vanke School of Public Health, I look forward to very close cooperation with the Institute of PKU and other universities and schools of public health at home, in China, as well as abroad. The world needs meaningful partnerships and long-term investment in education and training of new talents and future leaders in health and development, in terms of disciplinary research and information for health action and sustainable development, and in capacity-building via mutual respect, mutual learning, and cooperation.

Once again, let me congratulate the establishment of the Institute and wish it every success and prosperity in the years to come. Thank you.