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

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 theGlobal Goal: Unite for Our Future – The Summit, organized by Global Citizen and the European Commission. The Prime Minister will also participate in the upcomingGlobal 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.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Global Affairs Canada.