100 former world leaders: G7 should pay for COVID-19 vaccinations in poor countries
One hundred former presidents, prime ministers and foreign ministers of the world have called on the Group of Seven to cover the cost of vaccinations against COVID-19 in the world's poorest countries. The G7 summit will be held from June 11 to 13.
Former British Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and 15 former African leaders are among the signatories to a letter published by 100 former world leaders and political figures.
In this letter, they have asked the G7 to bear the costs of vaccination against Corona in the world's poor countries.
The call for these 100 people is being issued ahead of the G7 summit, which is scheduled to be held from June 11 to 13 and hosted by Britain.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel will attend the meeting along with US President Joe Biden, as well as the leaders of Britain, France, Italy, Canada, and Japan.
The former world leaders have stated in their letter: "The support of the G7 and G20 for providing existing vaccines to low- and middle-income countries is not a donation, but will be coordinated and in line with the governance interests of all member countries."
According to them, the Group of 7 should allocate a total of $60 billion ($30 billion annually) over two years to combat the coronavirus pandemic worldwide.
Former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who co-signed the letter, said: "Taking this cost is not a charitable act, but a step towards protecting ourselves and preventing this virus from spreading further and returning in a mutated form."
He added: "It costs 30 pence (43 cents) per week per person in the UK. That's a very small price to pay for the best health insurance in the world."
The call by 100 former world leaders coincides with a survey conducted by the charity Save the Children.
This survey shows that the G7's assumption and payment of the costs of global vaccination against Corona enjoys high support in public opinion in the United States, Britain, Germany, and France.
Source: DW
