“One Earth, One Health” PM Modi urges G7 to lift COVID-19 vaccine patent protections

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called on the world leaders to follow the “One Earth, One Health” approach to effectively deal with the COVID-19 pandemic globally. He also sought the support of the G7 grouping to lift patent protections for the COVID vaccines.

The leaders of the world’s advanced economies are holding a summit in Cornwall in the United Kingdom from June 11 – 13. It is for the first time, the leaders of the grouping are meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

During a virtual address at an outreach session of a summit of the bloc, PM Modi emphasized the special responsibility of democratic and transparent societies to deal with the challenge. He called for the adoption of “One Earth, One Health” approach, which received support from German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Sources said Australia and several other countries came out in strong support of the Indian Prime Minister’s call to waive patents on coronavirus vaccines to boost their production. India and South Africa have come out with the proposal at the World Trade Organization.

During the G7 outreach session, PM Modi highlighted India’s “whole of society” approach to fight the pandemic, while synergizing the efforts of all levels of the government, industry and civil society. He sought the support of G7 countries for a proposal moved at WTO by India and South Africa, for patent waiver on COVID-related technologies.

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“The prime minister committed India’s support for collective endeavors to improve global health governance. He sought the grouping’s support for the proposal moved at WTO by India and South Africa for a TRIPS (Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights) waiver on COVID-related technologies,” the official statement said. “He also explained India’s successful use of open-source digital tools for contract tracing and vaccine management, and conveyed India’s willingness to share its experience and expertise with other developing countries.”