COVID-19 Coronavirus: worldwide pledging marathon for diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines starting on 4 May. EU joins in

The European Union “is joining forces with global partners to kick-start a pledging effort – the Coronavirus Global Response – starting on 4 May 2020”. The World Health Organization (WHO) and other health organisations worldwide “have launched a joint call for action to develop fast and equitable access to safe, quality, effective and affordable diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines against coronavirus”, according to a statement from Brussels. To raise funds in support of this endeavour, the European Union and its partners will organise a worldwide pledging marathon, inviting countries and organisations around the world to pledge to help reach the target of €7.5 billion in initial funding. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: “We need to bring the world, its leaders and people together against coronavirus. In just 10 days, we will launch a global pledging effort – a real marathon. Because beating coronavirus requires a global response and sustained actions on many fronts. We need to develop a vaccine, to produce it and deploy it to every corner of the world. And we need to make it available at affordable prices”. The Commission “invites everyone - governments, business leaders, public figures philanthropists, artists and citizens - to raise awareness about this global pledging effort. The funds collected will be channelled into three strands: diagnostics, treatments and vaccines. More information at europa.eu/global-response.
Marco Calvarese