Topline
The leaders of seven of the world’s most powerful countries convening in England for the G-7 summit are set to call for an “expert-led” study into the origins of the coronavirus amid questions over whether it leaked from a Chinese lab, according to a communique obtained by Reuters and Bloomberg.
President Joe Biden talks with French President Emmanuel Macron during the final session of the G-7 ... [+]
ASSOCIATED PRESSKey Facts
In what Bloomberg deemed the final version of the communique, President Biden and other G-7 leaders ask the World Health Organization to lead a study into Covid-19’s origins.
The communique notes the study should be “timely,” “transparent” and “expert-led,” and should include China.
This follows calls from several countries—including the U.S.—to launch deeper investigations into the virus’s origins.
It also comes after World Health Organization head Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the so-called “lab-leak theory” was “discussed” at the G-7 summit on Saturday.
The WHO director-general highlighted the importance of China’s co-operation with investigations into the virus’s origins, noting there have previously been issues with “data sharing, especially in the raw data.”
Crucial Quote
“We call for a timely, transparent, expert-led, and science-based WHO-convened Phase 2 Covid-19 Origins study including, as recommended by the experts report, in China,” the communique says.
Tangent
The communique also shows G-7 countries—the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Germany, Italy, France and Japan—are pledging to provide 1 billion Covid-19 vaccine doses over the next year.
Key Background
Though it was initially dismissed, the theory that Covid-19 originated from a lab (as opposed to from animals) has been picking up steam in recent weeks. President Biden last month called to redouble efforts to determine the true origins of the virus after a report from The Wall Street Journal raised questions about whether it spread from a laboratory in Wuhan, China.
Further Reading
“Joe Biden Arrives In Cornwall For The Greenest G7 Summit In History” (Forbes)
“The G7 Can And Should Share 1 Billion Vaccines By September” (Forbes)
Full coverage and live updates on the Coronavirus
The Link LonkJune 13, 2021 at 08:18PM
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jemimamcevoy/2021/06/13/g7-leaders-reportedly-set-to-call-for-fresh-probe-of-covid-origins/
G-7 Leaders Set To Call For Fresh Probe Of Covid Origins - Forbes
https://news.google.com/search?q=fresh&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en
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