On Monday, May 4, the European Commission hosted the Coronavirus Global Response International Pledging Event, an effort to raise €7.5 billion in initial funding to kick-start the global cooperation needed to develop and deploy effective diagnostics, treatments and a vaccine.
During this international conference, national governments, philanthropists, and business leaders announced their pledges for the development and universal deployment of diagnostics, treatments and vaccines against the coronavirus.
Speaking in his capacity as a member of the Global Preparedness Monitoring Board—an independent monitoring and accountability body—National Academy of Medicine president Dr. Victor J. Dzau addressed the group of world leaders and thanked them for their commitment.
“This is about solidarity – we cannot let the poorest and most affected countries struggle alone,” said Dzau. “Infectious disease outbreaks like COVID-19 are among the most complex challenges we face as a global society. We need to work together to accelerate the development of vaccines and treatments and ensure that they will be available to everyone.”
The international pledging marathon runs until the end of May, with the aim of gathering funding to ensure the collaborative development and universal deployment of diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines against coronavirus.
More information about the National Academy of Medicine’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak can be found here: nam.edu/coronavirus
