Canada announces support for equitable access to new COVID-19 medical solutions

News release

June 27, 2020 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

COVID-19 has changed the lives of people everywhere and highlighted inequalities around the world. All countries are affected and strong global cooperation and solidarity are needed to fight this pandemic. Canada is committed to working with countries around the world to ensure everyone, everywhere has access to new solutions developed to test, treat and immunize against COVID-19. At the same time, international support is needed to address the immediate humanitarian and development impact of the pandemic in developing countries, with particular attention to the most vulnerable.

Karina Gould, Minister of International Development, today announced a commitment of $120 million in support of the activities of the Access to COVID-19 (ACT) Accelerator – with $20 million of that total for the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). Canada joined other world leaders to launch the ACT Accelerator – a global collaboration to accelerate the development, production and equitable distribution of new COVID-19 diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines – in May 2020.

Canada will also invest an additional $180 million to address the immediate humanitarian and development impacts of this crisis, helping communities in developing countries mitigate and address the challenges they are facing right now. This funding will support programming aligned with international response plans on priorities, such as essential food security, nutrition, and education initiatives.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made this commitment earlier today during his participation alongside other global leaders in the Global Goal: Unite for Our Future – The Summit, organized by Global Citizen and the European Commission. The Prime Minister will also participate in the upcoming Global Goal: Unite for Our Future – The Concert.

Today’s funding investments will help key partners assist those countries whose economies are most at risk due to the pandemic and improve their resilience.

Quotes

“COVID-19 is a threat that does not recognize borders and will only be overcome through coordinated action. Our global response is part of our domestic response: we will not be safe from COVID-19 in Canada until everyone, everywhere is. International cooperation between governments and other health partners will be crucial to beat the virus. Our government will continue to be a progressive voice to ensure a more equitable access for treatments.”

- Karina Gould, Minister of International Development

Quick facts

The Global Goal: Unite for Our Future leader’s Summit is being broadcast online, on June 27, as of 9:00 a.m. EST, while the accompanying concert will be broadcast on multiple television stations and online in prime time at 8:00 p.m. EST. The Summit will bring together global leaders in support of the ACT Accelerator, while the concert will mobilize global attention for the impact of COVID-19 around the world. Both events are organized by Global Citizen and the European Commission.
Global Citizen is the world’s largest movement of action takers and impact makers dedicated to ending extreme poverty by 2030.
The Government of Canada previously committed over $850 million in domestic research and development and international support as part of the Coronavirus Global Response’s fundraising effort.
This new support for international efforts to address COVID-19 is in addition to the $200 million in international development assistance provided by Canada to date.

Associated links

Contacts

Guillaume Dumas
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Development
Guillaume.Dumas@international.gc.ca

Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
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2020-06-27