Statements of Support for the ‘Global Goal: Unite For Our Future’ Campaign

Updated on Monday,‌ ‌June 22, ‌2020‌

International‌ ‌advocacy‌ ‌organisation‌ ‌‌Global‌ Citizen‌ and the European Commission (EC) on May 28, ‌2020‌ ‌announced‌ Global Goal: Unite for Our Future, a global campaign to coordinate the development of COVID-19 tests, treatments and vaccines, and to ensure equitable access to everyone, everywhere. The campaign, launched under the patronage of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, focuses on mitigating the pandemic’s impact on those living in poverty and seek to put the world back on track for the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Below, find quotes of support for the Global Goal: Unite for Our Future effort:

‘Global Goal: Unite For Our Future’ Heads Of State

“The more and quicker we mobilise resources and join forces, the higher the chances of getting a vaccine for all within our reach. The world needs to come out stronger from this pandemic. We should be more prepared to face such crisis in the future, with fair access to medicines and strong health systems everywhere around the Earth. This is a global challenge, and it requires a truly global mobilisation.”
-Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission

“Under the ACT-A Initiative, we have joined forces to collectively speed up our work to combat COVID-19 and make the vaccine a global public good. The fight goes on. We must not let up.”
-Emmanuel Macron, President of France

“Now, more than ever, the world needs solidarity and cooperation to mobilise and guide investments, and drive delivery towards equitable access for new COVID-19 diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines. I welcome initiative by Global Citizen and the European Commission announcing campaign Global Goal: Unite for Our Future.  Only working together and working globally we shall overcome this pandemic. Count on South Africa and African Union as partner and strong supporter of this initiative.”
-Cyril Ramaphosa , President of South Africa

“We will only be able to overcome the pandemic if we achieve a truly global solution to the COVID-19 crisis. This is a test of our generation’s human kindness. And this test will also teach us important lessons on how to address global challenges in the future.”
-Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany

“In the weeks and months to come, the world will count on our solidarity, our capacity to cooperate, and our willingness to unite for our future. We must continue to fund the development and equitable distribution of a vaccine, and we must commit to building back better from this crisis, guided by the SDGs.”
-Erna Solberg, Prime Minister of Norway

“Real progress will only be possible through global cooperation. We must ensure that access to the vaccine against COVID-19 is affordable and equitable. We need to take care of each other, and especially of the most vulnerable, and the more we cooperate, the greater the chances of finding a drug and finding it quickly. We’re in this fight together and together, we will win.”
- Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

"The Coronavirus Global Response Pledging Conference confirmed how important international cooperation is. Italy will do its utmost to keep strengthening our alliance to ensure universal and equitable access for vaccines, therapies and medicaments: they shall be our common, global, public good. Governments, international organizations, civil society, private sector, researchers, health and social workers, citizens: all together we will make it.”
-Giuseppe Conte, Prime Minister of Italy

“In Spain, we believe in the strength of solidarity. Especially when it comes to saving lives. Ensuring equal and affordable access to vaccines, treatments and diagnosis in the whole world is not just the only way to defeat the virus. It is also what we should do; it is doing the right thing. We strongly support a multilateral response to the pandemic and the launching of the ACT Accelerator is a good example of the common effort needed. This is why we are co-leading this global campaign to mobilise funds, in which every contribution is more needed than ever. We must rise to the challenge that we are facing.”
-Pedro Sánchez, Prime Minister of Spain

“We will only overcome this crisis by pulling together. The global fight against coronavirus was boosted by the pledges made on May 4th. Next week, the UK will host the Global Vaccine Summit to raise vital funds to stop the spread of infectious diseases. None of us can succeed alone and this is the most urgent shared endeavour of our lifetimes.”
-Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of the UK

“Austria has been among the first countries to find a successful way out of the COVID-19 crisis. We did so by relying on scientific evaluation, innovative medical forecasts and a strong commitment of our citizens. Our initial determination has now put us in a place to help others in need. We are, therefore, more than glad to support the Global Citizen initiative in its ambitious aim to find a global solution for this pandemic.”
-Sebastian Kurz, Chancellor of Austria

“Only by joining hands and acting together, we can overcome the COVID-19 pandemic. Researching a vaccine and strengthening our health care systems while leaving no one behind, will require massive efforts of many. Belgium stands ready to do its part. That’s why we are supporting Global Goal: Unite for Our Future, initiated by Global Citizen and the European Commission."
-Alexander De Croo, Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium

"This pandemic demands a global response based on solidarity and renewed multilateral cooperation. By joining forces with the United Nations, the European Union, the European Council, as well as members of CEPI, we are working to find an immediate and equitable response against COVID-19. This pandemic shows us different challenges as humankind. Mexico reaffirms its commitment to cooperate in the development of the COVID-19 vaccine and to ensure that access to it will be fair and equitable for everyone. We also call to the rest of the countries of Latin America to join this effort as well. We have one global goal: Unite for Our Future.”
-Martha Delgado Peralta, Undersecretary for Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights, Secretariat of Foreign Affairs of the United Mexican States

“The UAE was one of the first countries to send humanitarian aid to support the global fight against the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. The proactive approach consolidates the UAE's role as a beacon of hope in the region and implements its deeply-rooted values of giving, especially during the ongoing global crisis. The UAE is proud to support the efforts of Global Citizens in the Global Goal: United for Our Future Campaign to bring together resources and knowledge to combat the Covid-19 pandemic and empower people across the world against its repercussions. We have to channel our capacities and energies towards building a better future for humanity in a post Covid-19 world.”
-The United Arab Emirates

“More than ever before, decision makers today are guided by research findings and recommendations. Morocco, under the leadership of his Majesty King Mohamed VI, is fully committed to supporting and encouraging research to contribute to facing the pandemic and overcoming the Coronavirus. The European Union Coronavirus Global Response is praiseworthy; it provides a framework not only for Europeans, but also for other willing participants from Africa and elsewhere to come together, work together, and ultimately bring people’s lives, the world over, back to the next normal.”
-Driss Ouaouicha, Delegate Minister for Higher Education and Scientific Research, Morocco

“We welcome ‘Global Goal: Unite for Our Future,’ an initiative of Global Citizen, under the patronage of the European Commission, driving towards equitable access for new COVID-19 diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines. In these unprecedented times, it is incumbent on the world to come together to find and share solutions to a common problem, for it is only together that we can overcome this pandemic. Count on Cameroon as a partner and strong supporter of this campaign.”
-His Excellency Mr. Dion Ngute Joseph, Prime Minister and Head of Government, Republic of Cameroon

“The State of Qatar greatly values the highly commendable efforts of the ‘Global Goal: Unite for Our Future’ campaign launched by the European Commission and Global Citizen to ensure access to COVID-19 tests, treatments and vaccines for all. COVID-19 is posing extraordinary challenges for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, but it also offers extraordinary opportunities for harmonized responses and collaborative efforts. It is now more than ever that the world community has to respond with the requested solidarity across borders and boundaries. Count on us, the State of Qatar will continue playing its part.”
- Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al-Thani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar

‘Global Goal: Unite For Our Future’ Philanthropy & Advocacy

"In low and middle-income countries around the world, doctors and public health experts are not getting the resources they need to identify this virus, and too many people do not have access to health care that could save their lives,” said Michael Bloomberg, Founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies. “We’re glad to support Europe’s Coronavirus Global Response Initiative and Global Citizen’s campaign to help develop critical treatments and a vaccine as quickly as possible, and ensure that everyone in the world has access to them. COVID-19 is a global threat, and the only way to overcome it is for us all to come together.”
-Mike Bloomberg, Bloomberg Philanthropies Founder

“The world has come together in the fight against COVID-19, with people dedicating their ideas, their time, and their resources in response to the virus. It has reminded us that we’re all connected – by our health and by our common humanity—and that we all have a role to play in building a healthier, more equitable future.”
-Bill and Melinda Gates, Co-Chairs of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

“The world is only at the start of this unprecedented crisis. Enhancing public health, using social science, and rolling out tests, treatments and vaccines globally is the only exit strategy from this pandemic. Developing, manufacturing and distributing these tools to everybody who needs them will require all countries to work together and step up in partnership and with funding. Global cooperation, pooling of resources, risks and benefits is key if we’re to end this pandemic as soon as possible, prevent future tragedies and get the world back to some sense of normality. This will not come cheap, it will cost tens of billions of dollars. But that’s a drop in the ocean compared to what this pandemic is costing the global economy every month. It’s what health workers need, what the public expect and what we all deserve.  That’s why Wellcome is backing Global Citizen’s campaign ‘Global Goal: Unite for our Future.’”
-Dr. Jeremy Farrar, Director, Wellcome Trust

“Vaccines, treatments and tests which are accessible to those who need them most are our global exit strategy from the COVID-19 pandemic. Global commitments to fund the urgent development of these tools, and make them globally accessible, are key to ending this pandemic, saving lives, and reviving economies. CEPI is pleased to support the European Commission and Global Citizen Global Goal: Unite For Our Future campaign to ensure COVID-19 vaccines, treatments and tests are available for everyone, everywhere.”
-Dr. Richard Hatchett, CEO of CEPI (Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations)

“Every dollar we invest today in developing the right tests, in building the capacity needed to administer them, and in the resources to procure and deploy them, is an investment in a safer future for everyone, everywhere. We stand with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Global Citizen, to ensure the Global Goal: Unite For Our Future campaign delivers on the promise of testing to avoid repeated lockdowns across the world, and enable fast deployment of a vaccine as soon as we have one.”
-Dr. Catharina Boehme, CEO, FIND

“COVID-19 is a global issue that requires a global solution; no single government, agency or organization can beat this pandemic alone. Manufacturing and distributing vaccines to everyone will require close international cooperation and significant financial investments to ensure vaccines can be supplied equitably to all affected areas, including the poorest countries of the world. With President Von der Leyen and Global Citizen, we have one Global Goal: Unite for our Future!” 
-Dr. Seth Berkley, CEO, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance

“In the fight against COVID-19, we must leave no one behind. Diagnostics, treatments and a vaccine must be made available to everyone, and frontline health workers, who are risking their lives daily to save others, must be protected everywhere. There is a real risk that COVID-19 could entirely derail efforts to fight AIDS, TB and malaria, with the indirect death toll massively outweighing deaths caused directly by the virus. Only a global response can beat a global pandemic and we are proud to partner with Global Citizen as we unite to fight COVID-19 and create a safer world for all.”
-Peter Alexander Sands, The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Executive Director

“We certainly need vaccines against COVID-19, but they will not be ready for many months. We also need basic science to better understand how to defeat this virus. And right now, as soon as possible, we need new treatments and better and faster diagnostics to fight it. And we need solutions that work in low- and middle income countries, those with weaker public health systems. The Global Goal: United for Our Future campaign is a great opportunity to make sure this happens.”
-Dr. Philippe Duneton, Unitaid Executive Director a.i.

“COVID-19 is a textbook case of a global problem that needs the world to work together and quickly. We’ve seen that happen at scale through the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, the first and only way for individuals, corporations and philanthropies to contribute directly to the global response led by WHO, and the fastest way to get resources where they are needed. The UN Foundation is proud to partner once again with Global Citizen to support the World Health Organization and its work to develop a vaccine and therapeutics, and to deliver supplies and assistance where they are most desperately needed.”
-Elizabeth M. Cousens, President and CEO of the United Nations Foundation

“The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented global crisis that has been met with an unprecedented global response. On 24 April, heads of State and Government, and key figures of major public and private organizations joined me virtually to launch the ACT accelerator, a landmark collaboration for the development, production and equitable distribution of vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics for COVID-19. While WHO can convene and bring together the combined power of several organizations to work with speed and scale, to invest in the technology and the R&D, we need a truly global movement to ensure we reach everyone with the solutions. I am delighted to be part of Global Goal – and work to ensure all people have access to all the tools to defeat COVID-19.”
-Dr. Tedros Adhanom, World Health Organization (WHO) Director General

“The time has come for a People’s Vaccine: patent-free, free of charge and made available to all people in all countries as a global public good. I am proud to stand with global leaders, experts and activists calling on governments and international partners to ensure this. This is the time to act on the lessons we have learnt from history and the victories of AIDS activists. As we stand together, we must reject the idea once and for all that a vaccine and having quality health care is a privilege of affluence. No – it is a human right. We must resist people in poverty and poor countries being forced to the back of the vaccine queue. This is wrong and it puts us all at risk. Let us unite behind free healthcare for all, and behind a People’s Vaccine: our best hope of ending this pandemic.”
-Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS and UN Under-Secretary General

For more information about Global Citizen and the campaign to support COVID-19 tests, treatments and vaccines, please visit globalcitizen.org and follow @GlblCtzn Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using #GlobalCitizen. Visit http://globalgoalunite.org to learn more about Global Goal: Unite for Our Future.

###