[G20 Video Conference] April Health Ministers' Meeting Assigns G20 Joint Emergency Response Mission

Commitment to Transparent Information Sharing and Exchange of Epidemiological and Clinical Data... "Ensuring Supply of Medicines at Appropriate Prices Where Most Needed"

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] Major world leaders attending the G20 Special Virtual Summit on the 26th, including President Moon Jae-in, stated in a joint declaration, "We commit to taking all necessary health measures and securing sufficient resources to contain this global pandemic and protect people, especially the most vulnerable."

In particular, the G20 leaders emphasized, "We mandate health ministers to share best practices among countries and to prepare joint emergency measures at the G20 level for the global pandemic at the ministerial meeting in April."

The G20 leaders pledged, "We will strengthen the international health system by sharing information in a timely and transparent manner, exchanging epidemiological and clinical data, sharing data necessary for research and development, and fully implementing the WHO International Health Regulations (IHR 2005)."

On the 26th, an asymptomatic foreigner who arrived on a passenger flight from London, UK, at Incheon International Airport Terminal 2 is receiving guidance from a member of the Army Field Support Team before undergoing a COVID-19 diagnostic test at an outdoor open screening clinic (Open Walking Thru). Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

The G20 leaders stated, "We will expand manufacturing capacity to meet the increasing demand for medicines and ensure that medicines are widely supplied to where they are most needed, as quickly as possible, at fair prices and under equitable standards."

The G20 leaders fully supported "the WHO's mission to respond internationally to this global pandemic, including protecting frontline health workers and ensuring the supply of medical goods such as diagnostic tools, therapeutics, medicines, and vaccines," and asserted, "We understand the urgent need for short-term emergency measures to strengthen global efforts to combat the COVID-19 crisis."

The G20 leaders said, "We will respond swiftly with stakeholders to address the funding shortfall for the 'WHO Strategic Response Plan,'" adding, "We also commit to providing immediate funding on a voluntary basis to the 'WHO COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund,' the 'Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI),' and the 'Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI)."

The G20 leaders pledged, "To protect the future, we will substantially increase our spending on pandemic preparedness to strengthen national, regional, and international capacities to respond to potential infectious disease outbreaks," and added, "This will enhance protection for all people, especially vulnerable groups disproportionately affected by infectious diseases."

Furthermore, the G20 leaders promised, "We will further increase support for vaccine and medicine research and development, utilize digital technologies, and strengthen scientific international cooperation," and stated, "While adhering to the principles of efficacy, safety, equity, accessibility, and affordability, we will enhance our cooperation, including collaboration with the private sector, for the rapid development, manufacturing, and distribution of diagnostic tools, antivirals, and vaccines."

The G20 leaders requested, "The WHO, in cooperation with relevant organizations, to establish an international initiative for pandemic preparedness and response, assess the current gaps in global pandemic preparedness, and report soon to the joint meeting of finance and health ministers," explaining, "The initiative will leverage existing programs prioritizing international preparedness and serve as a universal, efficient, and sustainable financing and coordination platform to accelerate the development and supply of vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics."