By Aaron Miller-
The Duke and Duchess Of Sussex have written an open letter to world leaders attending the G20 Summit in Rome this weekend, asking why so little has changed since one billion vaccines were promised to low-income countries back in June.
The letter dated October 29th, was written in conjunction with WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros, calls on leaders to take urgent action with the reminder that “lives literally depend on it.”
Critics of the couple say the Duke and Duchess are stepping too far into the world of politics, whilst still using their royal titles, contrary to the general protocols of the royal family.
Only last week, Meghan Markle wrote a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senator Chuck Schumer advocating for paid leave for parents.
The letter reads: “We understand that the pandemic recovery is nuanced and deeply complex, but we have a window of opportunity to come together as a global community and meet our humanitarian promises,” they write.
“By delivering already-pledged doses, helping countries manufacture their own vaccines, and prioritizing vaccines for nations in need, the G20 can help ensure the world delivers on these promises.”
The letter comes amid a discussion with climate crisis and other global issues at the G20 Summit in Rome, Italy this weekend, and just two days before the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Scotland begins on Sunday, October 31.
The letter also asks for members of public to pledge their support, it is up to world leaders to put an end to the pandemic as “we can’t simply hope for the pandemic to end on its own.”
“As the virus progresses through unvaccinated populations, we risk new and more deadly strains sweeping the planet. Further, with trillions of dollars already lost and trillions more expected to be lost, economies will never fully recover until the whole world can operate as normal,” the letter continues.
“There are many crises that you—the stewards of our planet—must grapple with this weekend: the climate emergency, the state of our global economy, a re-commitment to multilateralism. Yet, in many ways, making headway on these priorities depends on whether we can beat this pandemic.”
In June world leaders at the G7 Summit in the U.K. had pledged one billion doses of Covid-19 vaccines to be sent to poorer countries in a bid to vaccinate the world and eradicate the virus, but in a sharp criticism, the letter states that: “several nations still don’t even have enough vaccines for their own health workers, the world is left asking: Where are the doses?
Of the almost 7 billion doses that have been administered globally, just three per cent of people in low-income countries have had a jab so far. Where are the rest?”
The letter has the backing of influential leaders, the likes of Dr Seth Berkley of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and Chelsea Clinton of the Clinton Foundation.
It states that promises made by world leaders have not translated into vaccines “reaching the people that need them.”
“We must do everything in our power to get doses to as many people who want and need them, as fast as possible, in the right order, and to have the greatest possible impact,” Harry, Meghan, and Dr. Ghebreyesus add.
The letter included guidance for what needs to happen in order to achieve vaccine equality, including leaders fully funding “the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator so it can carry out its vital work of providing vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments to the most vulnerable people on the planet – from older populations and health workers to refugees.” They also ask for vaccine technology to be shared.
The letter also asks for members of public to pledge their support, it is up to world leaders to put an end to the pandemic as “we can’t simply hope for the pandemic to end on its own.”
“As the virus progresses through unvaccinated populations, we risk new and more deadly strains sweeping the planet. Further, with trillions of dollars already lost and trillions more expected to be lost, economies will never fully recover until the whole world can operate as normal,” the letter continues.
“There are many crises that you—the stewards of our planet—must grapple with this weekend: the climate emergency, the state of our global economy, a recommitment to multilateralism. Yet, in many ways, making headway on these priorities depends on whether we can beat this pandemic.”
The letter has the support of the likes of Dr Seth Berkley of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and Chelsea Clinton of the Clinton Foundation, the letter adds that promises made by world leaders have not translated into vaccines “reaching the people that need them.”