The European Union started an international conference on the search for vaccines and coronavirus treatment by pledging one billion euros to the cause.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told the virtual Coronavirus Global Response conference the initial aim is to raise 7.5 billion euros, or $8 billion USD, to ramp up immediate work, but more will be needed. She described it as the start of a global “pledging marathon”.
The reality is we will have to live with the virus until and unless we develop a vaccine and this is why we have to join forces and pool our money and our minds to kick-start work on vaccines, diagnostics and treatments against coronavirus,” the EU Commission President said.
Today President @vonderleyen will host an online pledging event with the initial goal to reach €7.5 billion of pledges.
We are joining forces with global partners to kick-start the global cooperation.
? 3pm CEST – Stay tuned!#UnitedAgainstCoronavirus pic.twitter.com/1pr9FUhwo9— European Commission ?? (@EU_Commission) May 4, 2020
