Leaders of the world’s 20 biggest economies said they are committed to the fair distribution of Covid-19 vaccines around the world and pledged to support poorer nations at the end of their annual summit.
“We recognise the role of extensive immunisation as a global public good,” the G20 leaders said in a joint declaration on Sunday evening, adding that they were supporting the development and distribution of tests, therapies and vaccines. “We will spare no effort to ensure their affordable and equitable access for all people, consistent with members’ commitments to incentivise innovation.”
The statement of resolve to continue supporting the global economy, helping distressed nations and fighting the pandemic marked the end of the two-day G20 leaders’ summit under the presidency of Saudi Arabia, the only Arab country in G20 fold.
The G20 leadership convened online on Saturday and Sunday instead of leaders arriving in Riyadh for the summit, which was dominated by discussions about the worsening pandemic and the uneven global economic recovery in its wake.
The G20 leaders' declaration followed a call by Saudi Arabia’s King Salman on Saturday that the organisation “must work to create the conditions for affordable and equitable access to [vaccines] for all peoples”.
The virus has infected about 59 million people and killed over 1.39 million, according to Worldometer data. The G20, which accounts for about 85 per cent of the world's gross domestic product, pledged more than $21bn in June towards diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics to fight the pandemic.
Governments and regulators have worked closely with pharmaceutical companies and there is optimism about a global inoculation programme after new vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, among others, proved more than 90 per cent effective in early trials.
The G20 said it supports “all collaborative efforts” to fight the pandemic, especially the Access to Covid-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT-A) initiative – a global project for vaccines, tests and therapeutics.
“We commit to addressing the remaining global financing needs,” the group said.
UN chief Antonio Guterres on Friday urged G20 leaders to fund a programme to rollout Covid-19 vaccines to poorer countries and help raise $28bn towards UN anti-Covid-19 efforts. The EU on Saturday called for more funding for ACT-A.
"I called for $4.5bn," European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen said on Twitter on Saturday. "We need to show global solidarity," she said.
The pandemic is still accelerating almost a year after it was first discovered in China and a second wave of infections has gripped parts of Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas, pushing some of Europe’s biggest economies into lockdowns again.
Despite some major developed economies recording better-than-expected growth in the third quarter, the International Monetary Fund expects global output to shrink 4.4 per cent this year and grow 5.2 per cent in 2021.
Since March, governments have rolled out nearly $12 trillion in fiscal stimulus, supported by about $7.5tn in monetary action by central banks. Policy actions have provided liquidity for the global banking system and financial markets, helping to protect jobs and the global economy.
The economic recovery is proving uneven, though, as some poorer nations with mounting debts are struggling to afford economic stimulus measures.
In April, G20 members agreed a Debt Suspension Service Initiative (DSSI), freeing $14bn for 44 poorer nations to help them fight the pandemic instead of servicing debt.
Earlier this month, G20 finance ministers and central bank governors agreed on a new joint framework to restructure government debt owed by these nations.
“We are committed to implementing the [DSSI], including its extension through [to] June 2021, allowing DSSI-eligible countries to suspend official bilateral debt service payments,” the declaration said.
Finance ministers and central bank governors will reassess whether a further extension of the initiative is needed when they convene at the IMF and the World Bank Spring meeting in April.
“We will continue to closely coordinate its ongoing implementation to provide maximum support to DSSI-eligible countries,” the G20 said.
David Malpass, president of the World Bank in his remarks at the G20 summit urged world leaders to provide more "permanent debt relief" to poorer countries, as without help poverty levels will increase, giving rise to disorderly debt defaults.
IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva said the new joint framework endorsed at the summit by G20 leaders should be implemented “promptly and effectively”.
“Going forward, we must also help those countries not covered by the framework to address debt vulnerabilities so that their economies can become more resilient.”
The G20 communique also underlined the need for multilateral trading systems and said the group aims for a “free, fair, inclusive, non-discriminatory, transparent, predictable and stable trade and investment environment ".
“We will continue to work to ensure a level playing field to foster an enabling business environment,” it said.
This followed King Salman's call on Saturday for leaders to take steps to “reopen our economies and our borders to facilitate the mobility of trade and people”.
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
How to volunteer
The UAE volunteers campaign can be reached at www.volunteers.ae , or by calling 800-VOLAE (80086523), or emailing info@volunteers.ae.
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
Boulder shooting victims
• Denny Strong, 20
• Neven Stanisic, 23
• Rikki Olds, 25
• Tralona Bartkowiak, 49
• Suzanne Fountain, 59
• Teri Leiker, 51
• Eric Talley, 51
• Kevin Mahoney, 61
• Lynn Murray, 62
• Jody Waters, 65
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
UAE%20v%20West%20Indies
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Saudi Cup race day
Schedule in UAE time
5pm: Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors Cup (Turf), 5.35pm: 1351 Cup (T), 6.10pm: Longines Turf Handicap (T), 6.45pm: Obaiya Arabian Classic for Purebred Arabians (Dirt), 7.30pm: Jockey Club Handicap (D), 8.10pm: Samba Saudi Derby (D), 8.50pm: Saudia Sprint (D), 9.40pm: Saudi Cup (D)
MATCH INFO
FA Cup fifth round
Chelsea v Manchester United, Monday, 11.30pm (UAE), BeIN Sports
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
Trippier bio
Date of birth September 19, 1990
Place of birth Bury, United Kingdom
Age 26
Height 1.74 metres
Nationality England
Position Right-back
Foot Right
Company%20Profile
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MATCH INFO
What: 2006 World Cup quarter-final
When: July 1
Where: Gelsenkirchen Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Result:
England 0 Portugal 0
(Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)
More on Quran memorisation:
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Tomb%20Raider%20I%E2%80%93III%20Remastered
%3Cp%3EDeveloper%3A%20Aspyr%0D%3Cbr%3EPublisher%3A%20Aspyr%0D%3Cbr%3EConsole%3A%20Nintendo%20Switch%2C%20PlayStation%204%26amp%3B5%2C%20PC%20and%20Xbox%20series%20X%2FS%0D%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
The low down on MPS
What is myofascial pain syndrome?
Myofascial pain syndrome refers to pain and inflammation in the body’s soft tissue. MPS is a chronic condition that affects the fascia (connective tissue that covers the muscles, which develops knots, also known as trigger points).
What are trigger points?
Trigger points are irritable knots in the soft tissue that covers muscle tissue. Through injury or overuse, muscle fibres contract as a reactive and protective measure, creating tension in the form of hard and, palpable nodules. Overuse and sustained posture are the main culprits in developing trigger points.
What is myofascial or trigger-point release?
Releasing these nodules requires a hands-on technique that involves applying gentle sustained pressure to release muscular shortness and tightness. This eliminates restrictions in connective tissue in orderto restore motion and alleviate pain. Therapy balls have proven effective at causing enough commotion in the tissue, prompting the release of these hard knots.
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
2020 Oscars winners: in numbers
- Parasite – 4
- 1917– 3
- Ford v Ferrari – 2
- Joker – 2
- Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood – 2
- American Factory – 1
- Bombshell – 1
- Hair Love – 1
- Jojo Rabbit – 1
- Judy – 1
- Little Women – 1
- Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You're a Girl) – 1
- Marriage Story – 1
- Rocketman – 1
- The Neighbors' Window – 1
- Toy Story 4 – 1
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Museum of the Future in numbers
- 78 metres is the height of the museum
- 30,000 square metres is its total area
- 17,000 square metres is the length of the stainless steel facade
- 14 kilometres is the length of LED lights used on the facade
- 1,024 individual pieces make up the exterior
- 7 floors in all, with one for administrative offices
- 2,400 diagonally intersecting steel members frame the torus shape
- 100 species of trees and plants dot the gardens
- Dh145 is the price of a ticket
Simran
Director Hansal Mehta
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Soham Shah, Esha Tiwari Pandey
Three stars
If you go
The flights
There are various ways of getting to the southern Serengeti in Tanzania from the UAE. The exact route and airstrip depends on your overall trip itinerary and which camp you’re staying at.
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Kilimanjaro International Airport from Dh1,350 return, including taxes; this can be followed by a short flight from Kilimanjaro to the Serengeti with Coastal Aviation from about US$700 (Dh2,500) return, including taxes. Kenya Airways, Emirates and Etihad offer flights via Nairobi or Dar es Salaam.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
BACK%20TO%20ALEXANDRIA
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'The Batman'
Stars:Robert Pattinson
Director:Matt Reeves
Rating: 5/5
Pathaan
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Siddharth%20Anand%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Shah%20Rukh%20Khan%2C%20Deepika%20Padukone%2C%20John%20Abraham%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
When Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi
Known as The Lady of Arabic Song, Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi on November 28, 1971, as part of celebrations for the fifth anniversary of the accession of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan as Ruler of Abu Dhabi. A concert hall was constructed for the event on land that is now Al Nahyan Stadium, behind Al Wahda Mall. The audience were treated to many of Kulthum's most well-known songs as part of the sold-out show, including Aghadan Alqak and Enta Omri.
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
The%20specs
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Sheer grandeur
The Owo building is 14 storeys high, seven of which are below ground, with the 30,000 square feet of amenities located subterranean, including a 16-seat private cinema, seven lounges, a gym, games room, treatment suites and bicycle storage.
A clear distinction between the residences and the Raffles hotel with the amenities operated separately.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Without Remorse
Directed by: Stefano Sollima
Starring: Michael B Jordan
4/5
The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
Quick%20facts
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BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
