June’s summit of the G-7 group of nations is fast approaching, and global health is likely to dominate the talks as the COVID-19 pandemic rages on. The meeting is the first major gathering of the G-7 since 2019, and the international sense of crisis over the coronavirus remains acute.
The United Kingdom — which is hosting the summit and setting the agenda — listed “leading the global recovery from coronavirus while strengthening our resilience against future pandemics” at the top of its policy priorities.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson last year announced a five-point plan for global health, which was later built on by Health Secretary Matt Hancock’s four pillars. On Friday, Johnson unveiled plans for a Global Pandemic Radar to track coronavirus variants and vaccine resistance.