ONE Responds to final day of Carbis Bay G7

Today the G7 summit in Carbis Bay comes to an end. Though the summit had high potential, this was not delivered, putting the world’s ability to fight the pandemic at risk.

Responding globally for ONE:

Edwin Ikhuoria, executive director for Africa at The ONE Campaign, said:  “Leaders arrived at this summit with a global crisis raging around us. While there has been some progress, the hard truth is that they leave Cornwall having failed to take the real action needed to end the pandemic and kickstart the global recovery. Throughout the summit we have heard strong words from the leaders but without the new investment to make their ambitions a reality.

 “Crucially, the failure to get life-saving vaccines to the whole planet as fast as possible, means this was not the historic moment that people around the world were hoping for and leaves us little closer to ending the pandemic. As a result billions of people, especially those living in the most vulnerable countries, are left dangerously exposed and still waiting for a real plan to lead the world out of this crisis.“

Speaking about the UK:

Romilly Greenhill, UK Director of ONE, said: “Post-match analysis of the G7 summit shows an underwhelming performance by the UK this weekend. What’s worse is that this was entirely avoidable. By cutting UK aid – making us the 5th largest donor in the G7 – the Prime Minister tied his own hands behind his back. 

“This was the moment to show historic global leadership on the global crises we face, not just host a good party on the beach. Instead it’s been overshadowed by a row with his backbenchers about the aid cuts, and wholly inadequate commitments to tackle the pandemic. Even his own priority – girls’ education – has seen cuts of 25%, undermining the commitment to the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) that the UK made on Friday.  

“The lack of goals scored in Carbis Bay means the pandemic will rage on. But it’s not too late, and there are still ways to make progress. We need faster and more ambitious dose sharing, new funding to tackle the pandemic, and new money for education ahead of the GPE Summit in July. The UK is only at half-time in its Presidency – the second half must be the moment to score the goals.