Pop superstar Lady Gaga called on world leaders Monday to support the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI); Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; and the United Nations in their efforts to stop the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic and develop a vaccine.
In a series of tweets, Lady Gaga urged French President Emmanuel Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to commit funds to CEPI and Gavi. The call to action is part of Global Citizen’s One World: Together At Home campaign, which leads up to a worldwide digital and television broadcast event this Saturday. The historic event is curated in collaboration with Lady Gaga to celebrate frontline health workers and support the fight against COVID-19.
Von der Leyen has since responded to Lady Gaga on Twitter by saying she will host a coronavirus pledging conference on May 4.
Fully agree that we can only defeat this virus by working together. We need funding for treatments and vaccines. This is why I decided to host an online pledging conference on 4 May. I hope that countries and organisations all over the world will contribute. #StrongerTogetherhttps://t.co/GBUFfGts02pic.twitter.com/10yQ57htaT
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) April 15, 2020
As governments work to contain the pandemic and shield citizens from its repercussions, CEPI and GAVI are leading the global effort to find a COVID-19 vaccine, which is the best way to eliminate the threat of the virus.
CEPI has requested $2 billion in funding to support research and development of potential vaccines, including clinical trials and global manufacture of vaccines.
Several countries, including Germany, Canada, Norway, and the United Kingdom, have contributed a total of $690 million to the fund.
Hi @JustinTrudeau — thanks for funding @CEPIvaccines, the @UN appeal, and for all 🇨🇦 is doing to stop #COVID19 and #PlankTheCurve. Will Canada give new funds to @Gavi to deliver vaccines and save lives in the poorest countries? We’re all in this together as #GlobalCitizens.
— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) April 13, 2020
Currently, more than 115 potential vaccines are being developed in labs around the world and CEPI expects only a handful to reach an advanced trial stage.
Gavi, working alongside CEPI, has disbursed more than $200 million to support efforts in low-income countries to stop the spread of coronavirus, bolster health care systems, and ensure equitable vaccine distribution.
President @EmmanuelMacron — last year you showed your leadership in the fight against pandemics. We need you to support the global fight against #COVID19 through the @UN, @CEPIvaccines & @Gavi. We’re all in this together as #GlobalCitizens.
— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) April 13, 2020
President @vonderleyen — as a doctor you know that disease doesn't know borders. Thanks for stepping up on @UN and bilateral #COVID19 help. We need your leadership on the lifesaving work of @CEPIvaccines & @Gavi. We’re all in this together as #GlobalCitizens.
— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) April 13, 2020
The UN, meanwhile, has called for $2 billion to coordinate the global relief effort, support health care workers, provide essential supplies, and research treatments and cures.
Lady Gaga has become a leading voice in the effort to unite the world in the fight against the COVID-19 coronavirus. On April 7, the Oscar- and GRAMMY- winning artist announced the One World: Together At Home event and revealed that she had already helped to fundraise $35 million to support the World Health Organization’s COVID-19 Solidarity Respond Fund.