Reaction to the G20 Health and Finance Ministerial Meeting

Rome, 29th October – In response to the G20 Health and Finance Ministerial Meeting, Emily Wigens, EU Director at The One Campaign said:

“Despite committing to vaccinate 70% of the population in all countries by mid-2022, the lack of concrete commitments from the G20 Health and Finance Ministers meeting is disappointing and worrying.  Ministers haven’t set out any details or plans for how they intend to reach the target. G20 leaders have 48hours to show they’re ready to turn promises into action. Without new commitments, this Summit risks being nothing but hot air. 

“Agreeing this target raises the prospect of ending the pandemic in a year. This level of ambition is badly needed, but will require a massive shift in the wealthiest countries’ current approach to the crisis. ONE’s latest analysis shows that twice as many boosters were administered in high-income countries as first dose vaccines in low and middle-income countries. We can’t end this pandemic anywhere if the vaccine isn’t everywhere. If that trend continues, it could take over a decade before countries can secure enough vaccines to put an end to this crisis.

“When they meet over the weekend, we need G20 leaders to show they’re ready to turn 18 months of failure into 18 months of lessons learned on how to end the crisis faster for everyone, everywhere.”