World leaders pledge 8 billion to fight COVID19 but US steers clear

World leaders and organizations pledged $8 billion to research, manufacture, and distribute a possible vaccine and treatments for COVID-19 on Monday, but the United States refused to contribute to the global effort.

Organizers included the European Union and non-EU countries Britain, Norway, and Saudi Arabia. Leaders from Japan, Canada, South Africa, and dozens of other countries joined the virtual event, while China, where the virus is believed to have originated, was only represented by its ambassador to the European Union.

Governments aim to continue raising funds for several weeks or months, building on efforts by the World Bank, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and wealthy individuals, and turn the page on the fractious and haphazard initial response around the world.

“In the space of just a few hours we have collectively pledged 7.4 billion euros ($8.1 billion) for vaccine, diagnostics and treatment” against COVID-19, the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said after chairing the online event.

“This will help kick-start unprecedented global cooperation,” she added.

It was however unclear what was new funding, as commitments made earlier this year may also be included, EU officials said.

Donors included pop singer Madonna, who pledged 1 million euros, von der Leyen said.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has recovered from a life-threatening battle with COVID-19, said the search for a vaccine was “the most urgent shared endeavor of our lifetime”, calling for “an impregnable shield around all our people”.

EU diplomats said the United States, which has the world’s most confirmed COVID-19 cases, was not taking part.

A senior U.S. administration official declined to say specifically why the United States was not participating.

“We support this pledging effort by the EU. It is one of many pledging efforts that are going on and the United States is at the forefront,” the official told reporters by telephone.

President Donald Trump said last month that he would halt funding to the World Health Organization, whose director-general addressed the conference, over its handling of the pandemic.

Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg said she regretted that decision, as well as Washington’s absence on Monday.

“It is a pity the U.S. is not a part of it. When you are in a crisis, you manage it and you do it jointly with others,” Solberg told Reuters in an interview, pledging $1 billion to support the distribution of any vaccine developed against COVID-19, and for vaccines against other diseases.

“We’ve had several discussions with our American partners and I’m convinced the Americans will eventually commit to this dynamic because it’s the way forward for the world,” French President Emmanuel Macron said.

(c) Reuters

News.Az