the Commission registered €7.4 billion, equivalent to $8 billion, in pledges from donors worldwide during the Coronavirus Global Response pledging event. This includes a pledge of €1.4 billion by the Commission. This almost reaches the initial target of €7.5 billion and is a solid starting point for the worldwide pledging marathon, which begins today. The aim is to gather significant funding to ensure the collaborative development and universal deployment of diagnostics, treatments and vaccines against coronavirus.
On 16 April, President Ursula von der Leyen gave a speech at the European Parliament plenary session on the EU's coordinated action to fight the coronavirus pandemic and its consequences. The President honoured the memory of the tens of thousands of Europeans who have lost their lives. Their stories are strengthening our determination to do everything in our power to save lives.