Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid attends G20 Riyadh summit closing session

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, attended the closing session of the G20 Riyadh Summit on Sunday.

He was joined by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, for the online session.

Sheikh Mohammed thanked King Salman of Saudi Arabia for hosting the annual summit and stressed the need for joint action to confront global challenges in future.

"Our common global issues can only be resolved by working as one," he said.

"With a unified international will, the UAE's stances will remain clear, consistent and continuous in support of international efforts to overcome all challenges."

Sheikh Mohammed said he looked forward to welcoming the world to Dubai Expo next year, with 190 countries due to take part.

The G20 leadership convened online this year, instead of leaders arriving in Riyadh, for the two-day summit.

The sessions were dominated by discussions about the worsening pandemic and the uneven global economic recovery in its wake.

On Sunday, leaders of the world’s 20 biggest economies said they were committed to the fair distribution of Covid-19 vaccines around the world and pledged to support poorer nations.

“We recognise the role of extensive immunisation as a global public good,” they said said in a joint declaration.

They declared their support for 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.”