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The G7 virtual meeting 2021 - independent.co.uk

The UK Prime Minister is setting out his ambition to cut the time to develop new vaccines by two-thirds to 100 days, as he chairs the first G7 leaders’ meeting of the UK’s presidency.

The development of a coronavirus vaccine in approximately 300 days was a huge and unprecedented global achievement. By reducing the time to develop new vaccines for emerging diseases even further, we may be able to prevent the catastrophic health, economic and social repercussions seen in this crisis. The 100 day ambition was proposed by CEPI earlier this year.

The UK Prime Minister has also confirmed today that the UK will share the majority of any future surplus coronavirus vaccines from our supply with the COVAX procurement pool to support developing countries, in addition to the UK’s £548 million funding for the scheme. He will be encouraging G7 leaders to increase their funding for COVAX in support of equitable access to vaccines.

“Perhaps more than ever, the hopes of the world rest on the shoulders of scientists and over the last year, like countless times before, they have risen to the challenge" Speaking ahead on Friday meeting, the Prime Minister Boris Johnson said. 

“The development of viable coronavirus vaccines offers the tantalising prospect of a return to normality, but we must not rest on our laurels. As leaders of the G7 we must say today never again. By harnessing our collective ingenuity, we can ensure we have the vaccines, treatments and tests to be battle-ready for future health threats, as we beat Covid-19 and build back better together" Prime Minister added. 

Meanwhile, on a press statement received by Voice of Indonesia in accordence to this matter, UK's Ambassador to Indonesia and Timor Leste, Owen Jenkins said that the UK decision to donate the majority of any future vaccine surplus to developing countries through COVAX is big, great news. Indonesia is one of the 92 countries eligible for vaccines under COVAX, so is likely to be one of the countries that benefits from this generosity. 

"This comes on top of the UK’s huge donation to GAVI - £548 million – one of the largest donors, and 1/5th of the total funds raised. Now, as the first country to commit to sharing the majority of our surplus vaccines through COVAX, this news show how the UK is a force for good in the world – demonstrating how we should tackle this pandemic with a spirit of togetherness and through our shared multilateral institutions" the Ambassador added. 

"Difficult times lead to innovation. The rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines has been amazing – and one of the most impressive features of the global pandemic response. Now we have the chance to cement these gains for the future – working globally on every part of vaccine development – through research, trial and production – to benefit everyone. Hopefully these efforts mean we will be more ready than ever before for a future pandemic" The Ambassador also said.  

Delivering on the objectives in the Prime Minister’s Five Point Plan to Prevent Future Pandemics – first set out at the UN last year - will be a key focus of the UK’s G7 presidency this year. 

The UK Prime Minister will also call on G7 leaders to support a treaty on pandemic preparedness through the WHO. 

The meeting will be the first hosted by the UK PM as part of the UK’s G7 Presidency this year and the first gathering of G7 leaders since April 2020.

At the meeting leaders are expected to confirm their support for the UK’s G7 health priorities and discuss wider efforts to address global challenges and secure a sustainable, green economic recovery from coronavirus, as well as a number of foreign policy issues//NK-VOI