The UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, has addressed the Global Vaccine Summit, calling for a “people’s vaccine” in the fight against Covid-19.
Global leaders met in London and raised $8.8 billion (Dh32.32bn) in additional funds at a pledging conference organised by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, on Thursday.
At the summit, the Vaccine Alliance launched an advance market commitment for Covid-19 vaccines.
The financial instrument is to motivate companies that make an eventual Covid-19 vaccine to produce enough for all countries.
Its initial goal of $2bn was to ensure access for developing countries to the shot.
The online conference, attended by private and public sector representatives from more than 50 countries, including heads of government from the G7 and G20, came at a time of greater attention to public health during the coronavirus outbreak.
As the world works towards a vaccine against the coronavirus, Gavi faces the challenges of maintaining levels of immunisation for other diseases while public health systems are under threat and preparing for the introduction of a possible preventive shot.
Mr Guterres stressed the importance of routine global vaccination, calling immunisation the “most important public health intervention in history”.
He said 20 million people around the world still did not receive their necessary full complement of vaccines and that with the coronavirus pandemic, reaching these people would only get harder.
“A vaccine itself is not enough,” Mr Guterres said, referring to the development of a Covid-19 jab.
He said global stability was needed “to make sure everyone everywhere has access”.
Reem Al Hashimy, the UAE Minister of State for International Co-operation, addressed the summit and said the country remained committed to immunising the world’s children.
"I reaffirm my country's commitment to freeing the next generation from disease and creating a healthier, more prosperous world for all through immunisation," Ms Al Hashimy said.
She said the UAE had sent more than 700 tonnes of medical supplies, valued at $130 million, to 60 countries to fight Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron were among the world leaders to pledge funds to Gavi.
US President Donald Trump made an appearance at the start of the conference saying the outbreak of the coronavirus had shown there were “no borders” when it came to disease and Covid-19 “doesn’t discriminate”.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation promised $1.6bn to Gavi, with the US the third largest contributor.
“To beat the Covid-19 pandemic, the world needs more than breakthrough science," said Bill Gates, co-chair of the foundation.
"It needs breakthrough generosity. And that’s what we’re seeing today as leaders across the public and private sectors are stepping up to support Gavi.
“When Covid-19 vaccines are ready, this funding and global co-ordination will ensure that people all over the world will be able to access them.”
The UK remains the Vaccine Alliance’s largest donor, pledging £1.65bn over the next five years.
In an opening address, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who was hosting the event, said he hoped the world would unite around the struggle against disease.
“Britain has been honoured to host this summit today," Mr Johnson said.
"You can count on our full contribution as together we rise to fulfil the greatest shared endeavour of our lifetime – the triumph of humanity over disease, now and for the generations that follow.
“As we make the choice today to unite and forge a path of global co-operation, let us also renew our collective resolve to find the vaccine that can defeat coronavirus."
The years Ramadan fell in May
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
PROFILE OF CURE.FIT
Started: July 2016
Founders: Mukesh Bansal and Ankit Nagori
Based: Bangalore, India
Sector: Health & wellness
Size: 500 employees
Investment: $250 million
Investors: Accel, Oaktree Capital (US); Chiratae Ventures, Epiq Capital, Innoven Capital, Kalaari Capital, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Piramal Group’s Anand Piramal, Pratithi Investment Trust, Ratan Tata (India); and Unilever Ventures (Unilever’s global venture capital arm)
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
The five pillars of Islam
Read more about the coronavirus
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
UAE tour of the Netherlands
UAE squad: Rohan Mustafa (captain), Shaiman Anwar, Ghulam Shabber, Mohammed Qasim, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Chirag Suri, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Mohammed Naveed, Amjad Javed, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
Fixtures:
Monday, 1st 50-over match
Wednesday, 2nd 50-over match
Thursday, 3rd 50-over match
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software
Publisher: Activision
Console: PlayStation 4 & 5, Windows, Xbox One & Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
