The President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sánchez, has called on the rest of the G20 leaders to guarantee a fair, equitable and universal access to vaccines against COVID-19 and full support for global efforts to combat the pandemic led by the World Health Organization (WHO). “We will not be safe until everyone is safe,” Sánchez stressed in his speech at the G20 summit organized by Saudi Arabia and held virtually due to the situation caused by the coronavirus.
The summit will last until this Sunday, and on the first day the leaders of the G20 countries have dedicated themselves to analyzing how to overcome the coronavirus pandemic and restore growth and jobs. In this context, as reported by the Moncloa Palace (the telematic session has been developed without public access), it is in which the Chief Executive has made his call so that when the vaccines against the coronavirus are available, they can be accessed by everyone.
After remembering that the COVID-19 has already claimed the lives of more than 1.3 million people, has left millions of children without education and has condemned millions of families to poverty, Sánchez has called on the G20 for more multilateral cooperation to address common challenges and accelerate “a just, inclusive and sustainable recovery that leaves no one behind” . For him, the G20 must continue to play a key role in addressing the economic consequences caused by the pandemic, with special attention to the most vulnerable.
Regarding debt, he welcomed the decision taken by the richest countries to extend until June 2021 the so-called “Initiative for the Suspension of Debt Service” and the adoption of the “Common Framework for Debt Treatment” . Two initiatives promoted to help the most vulnerable countries in the face of the economic crisis.
Sánchez has also asked not to forget the risks that other developing economies have with respect to debt, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean. In his speech, he has also lamented the increase in inequality that has caused the pandemic and, especially, in low-skilled workers. For this reason, he has highlighted the importance of countries guaranteeing a decent standard of living and has called for strengthening social protection systems.
Sánchez participated in the first session of the summit (which Spain attends as a permanent guest country) accompanied by the third vice-president and Minister of Economy, Nadia Calviño. The leaders of the G20 will dedicate Sunday’s session to analyze how to build an inclusive, sustainable and resilient future, and at the end it is expected that the President of the Spanish Government will offer a press conference to take stock of the decisions taken.
Boris Johnson calls for an “ambitious” response to the pandemic
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson He asked the G20 leaders this Saturday for a joint “ambitious” response against the coronavirus pandemic and determined actions against climate change. “The G20 pledged in March to do whatever it takes to overcome the pandemic and protect lives. At our meeting this weekend, we must force ourselves to keep that promise,” the British head of government said in a message recorded before the start of the virtual meeting of group leaders, organized by Saudi Arabia.
“If we harness the collective capacity and resources of the G20, we can chart a path out of the pandemic and build a better, greener future,” added Johnson, who next year will host the COP26 climate summit to be held in Glasgow, Scotland.
During this Saturday’s meeting on the challenges posed by COVID-19, the British Prime Minister will underline the UK’s commitment to work towards universal access to future vaccines. Johnson will encourage the rest of the participants to collaborate on the COVAX platform, through which middle and high income countries can finance vaccination of the poorestDowning Street, his official office, said in a statement.
Saudi Arabia hosts the G20 summit
The G20 summit, which starts today and ends tomorrow, brings together 19 world leaders – including Donald Trump – amid controversy over its being held and organized by Saudi Arabia. This country acts as host of the summit, which due to the current circumstances will be held virtually. In this meeting, the main powers of the world will analyze the main routes to follow in order to recover world economic activity as well as a new tax system that takes into account the particularities of the digital economy.
On Sunday, during the session dedicated to sustainable development, the British president will welcome the commitment to reduce their emissions by various members of the G20 and it will call on others to adopt the same goals.
The prime minister “will warn that we risk failing future generations if we do not take decisive steps towards reducing emissions,” Downing Street said.
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