The Commission announced the next steps in the Coronavirus Global Response, the global action for universal access to affordable coronavirus vaccination, treatment and testing. The pledging marathon that started on 4 May will now see the launch of a new campaign with the international advocacy organization Global Citizen, “Global Goal: Unite For Our Future”, that will culminate in a Global Pledging Summit on Saturday 27 June.
Together with Global Citizen, the Commission will step up the mobilisation of funding to enable the world to overcome this pandemic – and avoid another.
This is a new stretch in raising support for the ACT-Accelerator, launched by the World Health Organization with governments and partners through a global call for action on 24 April 2020. The campaign will seek to raise the considerable resources needed to accelerate the development of new solutions and ensure their universal and inclusive access. It means access everywhere, for everyone who needs them.
The pledging marathon enters its next phase with a new campaign
The outcome of the 4 May pledging event shows the readiness and capacity of the world to join forces and pool resources to overcome the pandemic. It bodes well for the unprecedented international collaboration and resources needed for the production, procurement and distribution of vaccines, treatments and tests.
The magnitude of the task requires the mobilization of citizens globally. During the next four weeks, Global Citizen will lead the “Global Goal: Unite for our Future” campaign, with the European Commission as patron and Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Wellcome Trust as partners.
Coronavirus Global Response partner countries – Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Norway, Saudi Arabia,South Africa, Spain, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom – as well as the European Investment Bank are supporting this campaign. More are expected to join. The World Health Organization is also a key partner and supporter in this endeavour. President von der Leyen will chair the “Global Goal: Unite for Our Future” Summit on 27 June.
Global artists including Adam Lambert, Chloe x Halle, Chris Rock, Coldplay, Dionne Warwick, Femi Kuti, Fher of Maná, Hugh Jackman, Idris & Sabrina Elba, J Balvin, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Lang Lang, Miley Cyrus, Padma Lakshmi , Rachel Brosnahan and Shakira have announced that they would help rally citizens to the cause, so they can in turn take action and reach out to world leaders.
In doing so, the campaign will add momentum to organisations such as CEPI, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Therapeutics Accelerator, UNITAID, FIND and the Global Fund. These groups are leading efforts to develop and make available tests, treatments and vaccines for frontline health workers and those most vulnerable to the virus around the world.
The Global Vaccine Summit organised by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance on 4 June will be another important milestone in strengthening the health systems and immunisation capacities of the world’s poorest countries, which will be instrumental in reaching the objectives of the Coronavirus Global Response.
In addition, the Commission encourages people to donate towards the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund at WHO.
