World leaders pledge billions for
Covid-19 vaccine
 |
| Coronavirus Global Response pledging event (ANSA) |
In the wake of Pope Francis' appeal for scientific
collaboration and unity in the quest for a Covid-19 vaccine, an online
international pledging marathon sees the participation of world leaders that
aim to raise at least 7.5 billion euros to that end.
By Stefan J. Bos
With social distancing the world's new norm, world leaders
choose video conferencing to raise the billions of dollars needed for research
into a possible vaccine.
The gathering came after the United Nations had a grim
warning to the billions of people facing gripping lockdowns or other
restrictions. It said that a full return to normal life would only be possible
if a vaccine is available. However, Italy, France, and Spain, who were among
the hardest-hit European nations, began loosening some coronavirus
restrictions.
The European Union organized Monday's donors' meeting.
Co-hosting the event was Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan,
Norway, Saudi Arabia and the European Commission, the EU's
executive.
European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, views
the initiative as part of global effort to tackle the world's most significant
health crisis since World War Two. "The only possibility to defeat this
virus is by finding a vaccine," the top diplomat said. "There are
many many activities. But we thought it is a global endeavor. We need a joint
global action to have a coordinated approach to find a vaccine. When we have a
vaccine to produce it and to deploy it all over the world," she added.
Counting money
"Therefore we have on Monday, May 4 an online pledging
conference and we hope that we're gonna raise up to $8 billion," Von der
Leyen explained. But she also cautioned that countries would need more money
over time.
The counting of money was already underway Monday. Saudi
Arabia, the current chair of the Group of 20 industrialized nations, pledged
$500 million. But some EU officials have reportedly raised concerns about
countries counting in money already allocated earlier this year.
Ahead of Monday's online pledging marathon, Italian Prime
Minister Giuseppe Conte, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German
Chancellor Angela Merkel were among the most vocal in supporting the
initiative.
They expressed their support in an open letter published in
weekend newspapers. The leaders wrote that the funds raised Monday would
"kickstart unprecedented global cooperation between scientists and
regulators, industry and governments, international organizations, foundations,
and healthcare professionals."
They added: "If we can develop a vaccine that is
produced by the world, for the whole world, this will be a unique global public
good
of the 21st Century." They are building on efforts by
the World Bank, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and wealthy individuals.
The Pope's appeal
Monday's meeting followed an appeal by Pope Francis on
Sunday when he called for international scientific cooperation in discovering a
vaccine for the coronavirus. He said any successful vaccine should be made
available around the world.
Britain will hold another online donor summit on June 4.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he would already
urge countries on Monday to "pull together." He said nations have to
meet what he called "the most urgent shared endeavor of our
lifetimes." Johnson will also confirm Britain's pledge of 388 million
pounds or some 483 million dollars for vaccine research, testing, and
treatment.
That has personal reasons as well. Johnson spent three
nights battling for his life in intensive care with the coronavirus disease
COVID-19. The prime minister said he 'owes his life' to those who cared for
him.
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét