G20 Summit Held Virtually Due to COVID-19 Crisis... Trump Also Attends

Saudi Arabia Residency, COVID-19 International Cooperation Theme
President Trump Attending While Holed Up in the White House After Election Dispute

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Group of Twenty (G20) summit was held via video conference amid the worsening situation of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The summit focused on joint responses to the COVID-19 crisis, with U.S. President Donald Trump, who has been holed up in the White House keeping his schedule clear ahead of the U.S. presidential election, also participating.

On the 21st (local time), the G20 summit was held over two days under the theme "Realizing the Opportunities of the 21st Century for All." However, due to the COVID-19 situation, the meeting was conducted virtually. King Salman bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia, the chair country of this G20 summit, presided over the meeting. This is the first time an Arab country has hosted the G20 summit since its inception in 2008.

Key member country leaders such as U.S. President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the summit. President Trump appeared in this virtual meeting following the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) virtual summit on the 20th. The G20, established in 1999, represents two-thirds of the world's population and approximately 80% of global economic output.

The main focus and theme of this meeting was international cooperation to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. With U.S. pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and Moderna recently announcing high efficacy in their COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials, G20 leaders emphasized the importance of equitable access to vaccines.

In his opening remarks, King Salman of Saudi Arabia said, "We are optimistic about the progress made in COVID-19 vaccine development, treatment, and diagnostic tools," adding, "We must strive to create conditions that allow everyone to have equitable access to these at affordable prices." Russian President Putin stated, "Russia supports the key resolutions of this summit aimed at ensuring everyone has access to effective and safe vaccines," and mentioned that Russia is ready to supply the COVID-19 vaccine it developed to countries in need. Chinese President Xi Jinping also proposed that "countries should strengthen cooperation in all stages of vaccine development, research, production, and distribution."

Giuseppe Conte, Prime Minister of Italy, the G20 chair country for next year, emphasized that the G20 should serve as a stepping stone for the world to create a new and better normal after the COVID-19 pandemic. The summit, which will continue until the 22nd, is also set to discuss ▲ creating dignified living and working conditions for women and youth ▲ efforts to preserve the planet related to food, water security, and climate ▲ and adopting strategies to share the benefits of innovation and technological advancement.