The G7 accepted donation of 1 billion vaccines and demanded a “transparent” investigation in China into the origin of COVID-19

The G7, the group of the world’s most developed economies, on Sunday announced an agreement to donate more than a billion doses of covid-19 vaccine to developing countries, and demanded a “transparent” investigation by WHO in China on the origin of COVID-19, in the summit’s final declaration.

“I am pleased to announce the commitment (of the G7) of a billion doses of vaccines, either directly or through funding from the (international program) COVAX“, said British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, host of the summit held in Cornwall (south-west of England), during the press conference closing the leaders’ meeting.

Leaders from the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Japan, Canada and the US said the direct donation pledge reached 870 million doses, half of which must be allocated before the end of this year. In his speech, Johnson said one hundred million of those doses will come from the UK.

In the text signed by the members, they also mentioned the need for a thorough and independent investigation into the origin of the pandemic, to be carried out at the Asian giant. “We call for a timely, transparent, expert-led, science-based Phase 2 study by the WHO into the origins of COVID-19, including, as recommended in the expert report, China», They indicated.

Regarding Beijing, the signatories also called for respect for freedoms in their western region of Xinjiang, home to the Uyghur Muslim minority, and Hong Kong, where Xi Jinping’s regime has cracked down on democracy advocates. “We will promote our values, among others calling on China to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms, especially with regard to Xinjiang and the rights, freedoms and high degree of Hong Kong autonomy“, They expressed.

Experts estimate that a minimum of 11 billion doses will be needed to beat the pandemic around the world. Asked about the suspension of vaccine patents – a move advocated by more than 100 countries around the world, including the United States – Johnson said that “the really important thing is to increase manufacturing capacity in the world. world, especially in Africa “. The Conservative Prime Minister insisted on the need to accelerate the transfer of knowledge and technology, adding: “The way forward is to sell the vaccines at cost price, we are defending the Oxford / AstraZeneca model.”

The summit, an opportunity to revive the Western alliance after the establishment of the US government Joe Biden, also targeted Vladimir Putin and Russian interference in the democratic systems of other countries. “We reiterate our interest in stable and predictable relations with Russia“And” we reaffirm our call to Russia to put an end to their destabilizing and harmful activitiesThe bloc said in a final statement released at the end of its three-day summit in southwest England.

In relationship with climate changesaid: “We commit to achieving the goal of net zero emissions by 2050, halving our collective emissions over the two decades to 2030, increasing and improving climate finance until 2025 and to conserve or protect at least 30% of our lands and oceans by 2030. ”.

G7 leaders also supported the celebration of the Olympic Games in Tokyo, believing that “in a safe and healthy way it would be a symbol of global unity against COVID-19”.

(With information from AFP and EFE)