Saudi G20 presidency calls for COVID-19 financing

Riyadh, April 25 (IANS) The Saudi Arabian Group of 20 (G20) presidency called upon the world for further financing to fight COVID-19.

G20 leaders on Friday have called for further immediate donations to fund the emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Saudi G20 presidency said in a statement, hoping to close the Global Preparedness Monitoring Board’s 8 billion US funding gap, reported Xinhua news agency.

Saudi Arabia donated US $500 million and other countries, organizations and private sector companies pledged contribution of US $1.9 billion to the US $8 billion target, the statement said, but more funds were needed.

Saudi G20 Sherpa Fahad Almubarak stressed in the statement that global solidarity and cooperation are essential, adding that it is time to support the development of needed vaccines and other therapeutic measures in combating the pandemic.

–IANS

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