- Title: Activists sketch G7 leaders' likeness in sand
- Date: 10th June 2021
- Summary: NEWQUAY, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (JUNE 10, 2021) (REUTERS) (MUTE) TIME LAPSE OF AVAAZ ACTIVISTS STARTING TO DRAW IN SAND ON THE BEACH VARIOUS OF ACTIVIST DRAWING IN SAND ON BEACH PERSON SITTING ON BEACH, WATCHING ACTIVISTS
- Embargoed: 24th June 2021 19:07
- Keywords: Avaaz G7 G7 Summit protests sand drawing
- Location: NEWQUAY, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
- City: NEWQUAY, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
- Country: United Kingdom
- Topics: Europe,G7,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001EGTKK7B
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Activist group Avaaz welcomed G7 leaders to Cornwall on Thursday (June 10) by sketching their likenesses into sand, putting their support behind calls to waive intellectual property rights over COVID-19 vaccines.
Pressure has been mounting for those in power to waive the rights to produce the vaccines, with the number made by the current suppliers falling far below what is needed to vaccinate the global population, activist groups and developing nations say.
Within the G7, different leaders have been more vocal with their support for waiving patents.
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday that intellectual property rights should not hinder access to vaccines during a pandemic and France and South Africa would propose at the G7 summit that nations work on a limited easing of rules.
U.S. President Joe Biden has also thrown his support behind waiving intellectual property rights for COVID-19 vaccines, angering research-based pharmaceutical companies.
Avaaz says it hoped German Chancellor Angela Merkel and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson would support Macron's push.
South Africa and India have been pressing for eight months at the World Trade Organization for a temporary waiver of IP rights that could allow more manufacturers to produce shots.
Developed nations, home to large pharmaceutical companies, including the European Union, have resisted, arguing that a waiver would not boost production and could undermine future research and development on vaccines and therapeutics.
(Production: Natalie Thomas) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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