Leaders of the Group of 20 major economies will hold an emergency teleconference on Thursday to discuss a coordinated global response to the novel coronavirus pandemic, according to its host Saudi Arabia.

The leaders are expected to focus on measures to curb the spread of the pneumonia-causing virus and cushion its negative impact on the world economy.

The conference will be joined by other nations such as Spain, Jordan and Singapore, and organizations such as the World Health Organization and the World Bank, the Saudi government said in a statement issued Tuesday.

The event comes amid rising concerns about a global recession as nations scramble to contain the virus, which has infected more than 370,000 worldwide and killed more than 16,000 people.


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Nations have closed borders, called for social distancing, and are attempting to bolster their health systems, as the epicenter of the coronavirus disease, or COVID-19, moved from China with sharp spikes seen in Europe and North America.

Representatives from regional organizations, such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the African Union, will be on the call as well.

On Monday, the G-20 finance ministers and central bank governors affirmed close coordination in ensuring stability in the economy and financial markets from the virus impact.

The G-20 groups Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Britain, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United States and the European Union.