The COVID-19 pandemic has taken centre stage in all discussions, whether they be political or social. The recently concluded G20 summit was no exception, where the world’s biggest pandemic of the century was discussed at length. The G20 summit, held virtually, concluded on November 22 and ended with all the member countries pledging collective and cooperative efforts towards eradicating the pandemic that has so far claimed more than 1.38 million lives in the world.
The COVID-19 pandemic has become one of the world’s biggest crises ever, demanding a concerted effort from humanity to be eradicated before it claims far more lives than it already has till date. Seven nations of the G-20 bloc have been reeling under the pandemic. Globally the COVID-19 has affected lives not only through health hazards and deaths, but also an economic recession and consequent unemployment. The eradication of the deadly virus has, therefore, become imperative for the world.
Many G-20 nations such as India, UK, Germany, China and France agreed in their conclusion at the summit that the pandemic has revealed the weak links in their preparedness and response system to deal with global emergency situations. The countries discussed in detail about the research and development of a possible COVID-19 vaccine, its related treatments and global access to the medications for curing the virus.
The G-20 countries pledged to go to every extent possible to help the world cope with the pandemic and eradicate the virus from the planet. They also extended their support to COVID-combating organisations such as COVAX, which have shouldered the responsibility of mass production and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccines and medications. The countries also said that although some of them had extended their financial support to COVAX, other countries will also have to extend their support to the organization for the development of vaccines and treatments for COVID 19.
This was said in response to the UN Secretary General’s request for US$28billion in financial aid to the COVAX facility, out of which 4 billion is required immediately. Although the G-20 nations have not issued any direct statement regarding the donation of money to COVAX, the organization is expecting financial aids from different countries of the world.
There are also concerns about certain countries having inked private deals of vaccine production and distribution with pharmaceutical companies. This might restrict the global distribution of vaccines and limit their availability in some countries while giving others free access. But with various pharmaceutical and medical research companies coming up with their own formulations of COVID-19 vaccine, the G-20 members are hopeful that the whole world will have access to effective vaccines over the next few months. With the leaders of the world having come together the way they did at the G-20 summit, the COVID-19 battle is expected to be won sooner than later globally.
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