Before second COVID-19 Summit, United States promises to redouble its efforts in global response and immunisation

On May 12, world leaders will assemble to discuss critical next measures in the global COVID-19 response, and the United States has pledged to redouble its efforts for a worldwide response, including vaccination, ahead of the second COVID-19 summit, which will be held online.

The United States, Belize, Germany, Indonesia, and Senegal are the co-hosts of the Second Global COVID-19 Summit, which brings together governments from across the world to make specific promises to vaccinate the world, save lives today, and build improved health security. The Summit will redouble our efforts from the first COVID Summit and will focus on four essential objectives: recommitting to global response intensity; vaccinating the globe; safeguarding the most vulnerable; and avoiding repeat disasters, according to a White House statement.

South Africa, Canada, Japan, India, Colombia, Republic of Korea, Italy, New Zealand, European Commission, Spain, Nigeria, Norway, Palau, Tanzania, and Rwanda will also participate in the virtual summit.

Other partners, including non-governmental organisations and private-sector firms, have made financial or policy commitments. Wellcome; Google; FIND, the global diagnostics alliance; Rotary International; the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations; the Clinton Health Access Initiative; Open Society Foundations; the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance; and the Mastercard Foundation will be among those involved.

In addition, international and regional institutions such as the World Health Organization, World Bank Group, World Trade Organization, African Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, and Caribbean Public Health Agency will participate, according to the release.

President Biden and other heads of state from the co-host nations will open the Summit by emphasising the importance of combating COVID-19 as a worldwide priority.

The Summit will next comprise three sessions focusing on gaining access to testing and treatments, enhancing health security, and preventing future disasters.

The US called on leaders of governments, civic society, corporations, and philanthropies to make major new commitments ahead of the Summit, according to a statement.

To far, President Obama has pledged to sharing 1.2 billion doses of safe, effective vaccinations with the rest of the world, and the United States has delivered on that promise.

The United States has supplied over 530 million doses of vaccine to 115 nations throughout the world, more than four times the next closest contributor. The US has also supplied them free of charge with no strings attached, according to the statement.

The United States and the co-host countries are looking forward to another successful Summit to help speed the worldwide response to COVID-19 and promote global pandemic preparation.