Statement by Rt. Hon. Dominic Raab and Rt. Hon. Rishi Sunak - 102nd Meeting of the Development Committee - COVID-19 crisis response principles

Jul 19, 2026

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COVID-19 is presented as the worst crisis in generations, stalling economic growth while straining health systems and increasing poverty and debt. The statement highlights how compounded impacts—pandemic, conflict, locust swarms, and climate change—push more than 250 million people toward extreme hunger and possible famine. The UK calls for coordinated, truly international action, including support for pandemic preparedness, vaccine access, debt measures, and an expanded World Bank Group role guided by clear principles for recovery, private-sector liquidity, and global food security.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time10 min

AccessFree to download

COVID-19 crisis impact

UK commitments and aid support

Vaccine access and international initiatives

Debt relief and creditor coordination

World Bank Group expected role

Principles for recovery and rebuild

Private sector support

Global food security and famine risk

Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (Joint Ministerial Committee of the Boards of Governors ofthe Bank and the Fund on the Transfer of Real Resources to Developing Countries) ONE HUNDRED AND TWO MEETING WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 16, 2020 (VIRTUAL) DC/S/2020-0050 October 16, 2020 Statement by Rt. Hon. Dominic Raab First Secretary of State for Foreign Commonwealth and Development Affairs and Rt. Hon. Rishi Sunak Chancellor of the Exchequer United Kingdom Statement by Rt. Hon. Dominic Raab First Secretary of State for Foreign Commonwealth and Development Affairs and Rt. Hon. Rishi Sunak Chancellor of the Exchequer United Kingdom 102nd Meeting of the Development Committee October 16, 2020 Washington, DC (VIRTUAL) COVID-19 is the worst crisis to hit the world in generations. In countries across the globe economic growthis stalling, health systems are straining, and poverty and debt levels are rising. The virus threatens to wipeout decades of growth, and progress towards the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) . For the poorest and most vulnerable countries COVID-19 has compounded existing crises that threatened their prosperity and security. This year, the combined impacts ofthe coronavirus pandemic, conflict, locustswarms and climate change have left over 250 million people worldwide facing extreme hunger and possible famine. We have committed a new £119m aid package to tackle this new famine threat and our new Special Envoy for Famine Prevention and Humanitarian Affairs will ensure a coherent response to these challenges alongside global partners. Without further international attention, many more will die from hunger and disease. The United Kingdom, as a force for good, is leading by example and urges the international community to come together to tackle these deadly threats including up to £790 million to support the global effort to combat coronavirus. We are leading the way in the international search to find COVID-19 vaccines and have committed to equitable access for all to successful vaccines, treatments and tests, including through our support to the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator initiative and the COVAX facility. We hosted the Global Vaccine Summit and raised £8.8 billion for vaccines. But the scale of this crisis requires a truly international response. All members of the international community and multilateral institutions must play their part. The Prime Minister in his speech to the UN General Assembly outlined a five-point plan for pandemic preparedness. The United Kingdom is committed to using our diplomatic levers and aid expertise, and we will use our forthcoming Presidencies of the G7 Group of Nations and the 26th UN Climate Change Conference, COP26, to drive action. The G20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative is just one example of what can be achieved when the international community comes together. The DSSI needs to be extended in 2021, and for some, debt relief will be required. Going forward, participation by all private and official creditors will be essential, and we encourage the World Bank to continue supporting the G20 and Paris Club to implement the DSSI and strengthen the sovereign debt resolution architecture. As the United Kingdom’s new Governor – and the first member of our new Foreign, Development and Commonwealth Office to hold this honor – alongside the Chancellor of the Exchequer as Alternate Governor, we expect the World Bank Group (WBG) to be at the forefront of the global response to the crisis. We commend the WBG for their swift and comprehensive intervention. Reaching over 100 countries with emergency health support and delivering over $45bn of assistance in the first three months of the pandemic is a significant achievement. As we move forward into the next phase of the response, we call on the WBG’s actions to be guided by the following principles: • Firstly,

FAQs

Why does the statement emphasize the need for an international response to COVID-19?

The statement argues that the crisis threatens decades of growth and requires coordinated action across countries and multilateral institutions to prevent greater loss of life from hunger and disease.

What UK efforts are highlighted regarding vaccine access and support?

The UK commits to equitable access to successful vaccines, treatments, and tests, supported through initiatives such as the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator and the COVAX facility, alongside hosting a Global Vaccine Summit.

What principles does the UK expect the World Bank Group to follow in the next phase of response?

The World Bank Group should maximize support for recovery and rebuilding, provide coordinated and transparent funding and governance, strengthen private-sector liquidity and counter-cyclical assistance, and respond to rising risks to global food security and famine.

Jul 19, 2026

Upload by Levi