G20 Summit to discuss post-COVID world: EU leaders

G20 Summit to discuss post-COVID world: EU leaders

DUBAI: The G20 Summit in Riyadh on Nov. 21-22 will discuss what a post-COVID-19 world will look like, EU leaders said in a briefing on Friday.

The summit "could mark a new beginning for global cooperation,“ said Ursula von der Leyen, head of the EU Commission.

EU Council President Charles Michel said the summit will chart "what we want (the world) to look like“ after the pandemic.

Both leaders recognized the urgency of addressing COVID-19 as well as climate change, and Von der Leyen called for continuous investment in developing and distributing vaccines against the virus.

She discussed updates on COVAX, a global initiative to ensure swift and equitable distribution.

"Pledges of $1.8 billion have recently been made for vaccine procurement through COVAX, for low- and middle-income countries, but more will be needed. The estimates are around $5 billion,“ she said, adding that funds are also needed for testing and treatment.

"The total needs are estimated to be $38 billion, of which $4 billion have been made available so far,“ she said.

Von der Leyen said she and other international figures have written to the G20 leaders asking for support to mobilize the necessary funds.

She discussed future preparedness and the importance for countries to draw lessons from