G-7 Leaders Vow No Pandemic Repeat 

PLYMOUTH, ENGLAND - Leaders of the G-7 are set to sign the Carbis Bay Declaration, described as a “historic statement setting out a series of concrete commitments to prevent any repeat of the human and economic devastation wreaked by coronavirus.”

The statement, named for the location of the G-7 Summit in the seaside town of Cornwall, England, recognizes the need to tackle the roots of the coronavirus pandemic on a global level. The aim is to slash the time needed to respond to a pandemic, including to develop vaccines, to under 100 days. Heads of Britain, the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan – a grouping of the world’s wealthiest democracies known as the Group of Seven – were joined in their discussions on global health by leaders of South Korea, South Africa and Australia. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined virtually. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and leaders of other international organizations were also present. The leaders were presented with recommendations from the Pandemic Preparedness Partnership, a group of international experts established by England earlier this year.