Note to Readers : Special Notice (PRIV)
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The SUNS resumes publication today, after a sudden two-week shutdown because of the outbreak of the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and the severe respiratory disease (COVID-19) caused by it. As the SUNS resumes publication, with the editorial and production staff tele-working under the near lockdown conditions and severe restrictions in accessing the SUNS offices at the Palais des Nations, for the moment, we are only able to issue the email/digital versions. We seek the understanding of our subscribers/readers in this situation. We will strive to resume the publication of the hard copy printed version as soon as conditions permit.

Health : WHO cautions against use of untested drugs for COVID-19 (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has called on individuals and countries to refrain from using therapeutics that have not been tested and demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has claimed thousands of lives around the world.

Trade : Options for convening MC12 (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
The World Trade Organization General Council chair Ambassador David Walker from New Zealand and the Director-General Roberto Azevedo have indicated three options for convening the 12th ministerial conference (MC12), trade envoys told SUNS.

Trade : WTO members to submit written inputs on fisheries subsidies proposals (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
The chair of the Doha rules negotiating body, Ambassador Santiago Wills of Colombia, cancelled his "virtual meeting" on Friday (20 March) because of the "implementation of increasingly strict COVID- related measures."

Trade : "Friends of Services" for permanent moratorium on E-transmissions (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
Switzerland, along with several countries of the informal coalition of "Friends of Services" (FoS) at the World Trade Organization, have called for "a more holistic approach", and continue the existing moratorium for not imposing customs duties on electronic transmissions without any disruption, due to "welfare" and "economic benefits" in a wider context.

Trade : G20 to ensure flow of vital supplies to fight COVID-19 (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
Trade ministers from major developed and developing countries of the Group of 20 (G20) are expected to reiterate on 30 March that they would ensure "the controlled flow of vital medical supplies and equipment, agricultural products, and other essential goods and services for supporting the health of our citizens," in fighting COVID-19.

UN : What does UNSG's Call for ceasefire mean for countries in conflict? (PRIV)
(IPS, New York)
Conflict experts are concerned that the global ceasefire called for by the United Nations amid the coronavirus outbreak may not work and could lead to a rise in violence.