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The presidents of China and Russia, as well as the main representatives of the EU, have offered developing countries access to corona vaccines. In speeches about a virtual G20Summit, several speakers on Saturday emphasized the need to work together globally on the crisis. “To contain the pandemic, vaccination must be available and affordable for all countries. The funds promised so far are not enough,” said German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
King Salman of Saudi Arabia made a similar statement. As the host of the summit, he warned that enough affordable vaccine should be available for developing countries. According to participants, US President Donald Trump praised the US approach to the crown crisis and said American companies Moderna and Pfizer had developed vaccines. He did not mention Pfizer’s German partner, Biontech.
The two-day meeting of the heads of state and government of the major industrial and emerging countries will only take place virtually this time due to the crown crisis. The main themes are the fight against the pandemic, the associated economic recession and climate change. Trump met, online, for the first time with other heads of government such as Chancellor Angela Merkel, who has already congratulated Joe Biden on winning the US presidential election.
Chinese President Xi also called for international cooperation to facilitate international travel in the crown crisis. China will submit a proposal on how travelers with digital health codes can prove negative in tests. Russian President Vladimir Putin offered the Sputnik V vaccine developed in his country and emphasized that researchers were in the process of developing a second and third corona vaccine. Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron, in turn, called for increased financial support for the existing international Covax initiative, which will also make corona vaccines available to developing countries.
The head of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, ordered the G20 states to guarantee a “fair distribution” of corona vaccines around the world. This is the prerequisite for containing the pandemic and for a faster recovery in the world economy. The G20 countries, which represent two-thirds of the world’s population and 80 percent of the world economy, have a special responsibility, he said, according to the speech distributed by the WHO.
In excerpts from a draft final statement, the group will do everything possible to contain the pandemic and protect lives, jobs and income. At the same time, the 20 industrialized and emerging countries warn that the global economic recovery will remain “unbalanced, extremely uncertain” and will imply “greater downside risks”. Some poorer countries may need more extensive debt relief. The pandemic hits the weakest in society hardest.
The presidents of international organizations such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank also participate in the deliberations.
