G20 urges Covid-19 help for poor states
The group of 20 rich countries said on Monday more efforts were needed to help poor countries vaccinate their populations against Covid-19, but steered clear of making new numerical or financial commitments.
Italy, which holds the G20 presidency this year, said after the gathering that the “Pact of Rome,” where the meeting was held on Sunday and Monday, included a political agreement to increase support for poor nations and send them more vaccines.
“The level of vaccine inequality is too high and is not sustainable,” Italian Health Minister Roberto Speranza told reporters. “If we leave part of the world without vaccines, we risk new variants which will hurt all of us. Our message is very clear, no one must be left behind in the vaccination campaign.”
Vaccines are being shipped to poor countries through the international COVAX facility, backed by the World Health Organization and the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI).
However, richer nations have come under fire for allegedly stockpiling Covid-19 jabs as many underdeveloped countries with low inoculation rates and rising infections struggle to get supplies.
“The strongest countries...are committed to investing significant resources and sending vaccines to the most fragile. We should strengthen this system bilaterally and through international platforms starting from COVAX,” Speranza said.- Nampa/Reuters
Italy, which holds the G20 presidency this year, said after the gathering that the “Pact of Rome,” where the meeting was held on Sunday and Monday, included a political agreement to increase support for poor nations and send them more vaccines.
“The level of vaccine inequality is too high and is not sustainable,” Italian Health Minister Roberto Speranza told reporters. “If we leave part of the world without vaccines, we risk new variants which will hurt all of us. Our message is very clear, no one must be left behind in the vaccination campaign.”
Vaccines are being shipped to poor countries through the international COVAX facility, backed by the World Health Organization and the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI).
However, richer nations have come under fire for allegedly stockpiling Covid-19 jabs as many underdeveloped countries with low inoculation rates and rising infections struggle to get supplies.
“The strongest countries...are committed to investing significant resources and sending vaccines to the most fragile. We should strengthen this system bilaterally and through international platforms starting from COVAX,” Speranza said.- Nampa/Reuters
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