Several G20 Leaders Participate in Event of Pandemic Preparedness and Response on Sidelines of G20 Summit

Prime Minister of Italy, Giuseppe Conte, said: “The G20 itself has taken unprecedented measures…which allowed to reach important milestones – the access to the COVID tools Accelerator is one of those milestones.” In his speech during the side event of the G20 Leaders' Summit on Pandemic Preparedness and Response, he disclosed that the international community has faced, all through the few last months, an unprecedented pandemic, in a century, due to the health and socio-economic fallouts of it, pointing out that, despite such a painful fact, the good news is our capability to consolidate and realize a world-wide rally to counter the pandemic.

President of Argentina, Alberto Fernandez, said: “In Argentina, we have worked on a comprehensive approach, putting the protection of people's lives first.

In his speech, the President of Argentina affirmed that cooperation and solidarity are the two key elements to fight the pandemic.

"This battle is not just a task of governments, but the responsibility of the international community, and it requires a global solidarity," he added.

President of France Emmanuel Macron stressed that the COVID-19 pandemic remains a challenge for the whole world, and a challenge for the G20 in particular, pointing out that since the 2008 economic crisis, the G20 has faced many challenges and seeks to formulate the most appropriate solutions for it.

In his speech, President Macron said that the G20 today has to move forward to ensure an international response to this crisis by discussing the initiatives aimed at achieving health safety for the world's peoples.

The President of France expressed his thanks to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for hosting the G20 summit, affirming his support for Italy in its presidency for the G20 next year.

For her part, Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel affirmed that the discussion of the issue of pandemic preparedness and response took a new turn at this summit from the past discussions in terms of the necessary response worldwide, like any international challenge. She pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic can only be overcome with a global effort, and the G20 has a crucial responsibility in this area.

In her speech, she said that the summit launched the ACT Accelerator and its COVAX facility, which operates as a unique global platform to promote the development, production and distribution of medicines, diagnostics and vaccines.

President of South Korea, Moon Jae-in, said that "we must work together more closely in solidarity to defeat the coronavirus. I hope

that the efforts of the G20 will inspire hope to the world.”

In his speech, he affirmed the importance of taking part in these activities and exchanging international experiences in responding to the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

The South Korean President stressed that the rapid global economic recovery is another challenge to the return of the economic recovery.

For his part, President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, said: “We are pleased there appears to be consensus in the G20 that access to an

effective COVID-19 vaccine should be universal, it should also be fair and equitable.”

In his speech, the President of South Africa expressed his hope that the G20 countries, international partners and financial institutions are to work with the African countries to help them rebuilding their economies.

He affirmed the members' commitment at the Extraordinary G20 Leaders Summit held in March to consolidate national, regional and global capabilities to respond effectively to future epidemics.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Gavi Board Chair, said: “Only through adequate financing for a global exit strategy like Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT-A) can economic vitality be restored at home and catastrophe in the poorest countries averted. A commitment by G20 leaders to invest the $4.6 billion to fill the ACT Accelerator’s immediate funding gap will save lives, lay the groundwork for mass procurement and delivery of ACTA Tools – tests, treatments, and vaccines – around the world."

In her speech, she added that "a joint commitment to spend a proportion of future stimulus to mobilize the $24 billion needed in 2021 for the COVID-19 tools needed globally, the G20 will build a strong foundation to end the pandemic.”