The UK holds the 2021 presidency of the G7 Group and aims to use the summit meeting on 11-13 June to unite leading democracies to help the world fight, and then build back better from coronavirus, and create a greener, more prosperous future.
Given the unprecedented harm COVID-19 continues to cause, this year’s G7 summit may be one of the most important gatherings in its history.
To date, COVID-19 diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines have not been equitably distributed across countries. While some high-income countries have enough vaccines to cover their whole population twice, low-income countries account for less than one per cent of doses administered.
The current total projected vaccine production of 9.8 billion in 2021 would still be 1.7 billion doses short of what is needed to vaccinate everyone, everywhere.
With policy options under discussion including urgently scaling up donations of surplus vaccines, accelerating financing for COVAX, negotiating a TRIPS waiver, and supporting expansion of manufacturing, the Centre for Universal Health brings world leading experts together to discuss:
- What actions G7 member states can take in the short-term to redress the balance and ensure more equitable and rapid distribution of vaccines, treatments and diagnostics across the world.
- What mechanisms are needed to scale-up vaccine manufacturing and distribution worldwide to meet unprecedented global demand, and what G7 support is required for these.
- Where the leadership of the G7 is most needed to end the global pandemic.
Participants
Rt Hon. Helen Clark, Prime Minister of New Zealand (1999-2008); Co-chair of the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness
Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director, UNAIDS
Mike Ryan, Executive Director, WHO Health Emergencies Programme
Professor Muhammad Yunus, Co-founder and Chairman, Yunus Social Business; Nobel Peace Prize Recipient (2006)
Chair: Rob Yates, Director, Global Health Programme; Executive Director, Centre for Universal Health