What happened?
The 47th G7 summit took place at Carbis Bay in Cornwall, England. Along with its members, the summit also witnessed Australia, India, South Korea, and South Africa as guest countries.

On 10 June, US President Joe Biden announced: "...the United States will donate half a billion new Pfizer vaccines to 92 low and lower-middle-income countries."

On 12 June, the UK PM and G7 President tweeted: "The #CarbisBayDeclaration marks a proud and historic moment ... the world's leading democracies will commit to preventing a global pandemic from ever happening again."

What is the background?
First, the focus on pandemic recovery. This year's summit assumes significance as it is the first in-person meet between G7 leaders since the pandemic began. The 'return of face-to-face diplomacy' is a welcome change to the 'zoom diplomacy' that affected leaders during the pandemic. The theme of the meeting, 'Build Back Better' coincides with the global effort to rebuild economies from COVID-19. As the UK hosts the summit, four focus areas have been laid out: the pandemic recovery and prevention of future health crises, tackling climate change, free and fair trade, and strengthening shared values. Though each leader of the summit has their own agendas, the pandemic and climate action are likely to dominate the meeting.

Second, Biden's first foreign trip and summit as President. During his tenure, former President Donald Trump managed to antagonize the US allies. One of Biden's major goals through this tour is to undo Trump's damage as well as to reclaim the US' global leadership role. Europe regards Biden as a 'reliable ally' and is relieved that Biden represents the US at G7. They appreciate that he does not cosy up with Russia's Putin and call the EU a foe, unlike Trump.

Third, the discussion on vaccines. The G7 finance ministers discussed a USD 50 billion vaccine distribution plan for poor nations collaborating with the IMF, WHO, and WTO. Before his arrival at the summit, Biden pledged the US would buy 500 million doses of the vaccine for distribution to developing countries. The UK has pledged 100 million doses, and the G7 is expected to make commitments that total to one billion by the end of the year. Johnson has sought a commitment to vaccinate the adult population of major economies by the end of 2022. The signing of the Carbis Bay Declaration aimed at taking steps to prevent another health emergency is also key. Aid experts opine that the G7 has failed to understand the urgency of the situation as their distribution goals only account for a tenth of the number required. Support for the discussion on patent waivers is also in view.

Fourth, talks on Russia and China. The G7's initiative of a global pandemic program is a geopolitical move as it is a humanitarian one. Countering China's vaccine diplomacy, strengthening the Clean Green Initiative rivalling Beijing's BRI, and taking joint action against the human rights abuses in Xinjiang are also key talking points. A call for Russia to tackle groups carrying out cybercrimes from home is also considered. Discussions would also include the ongoing discontent over Russia's destabilizing actions and the prospect of more sanctions on the country. However, Merkel's support for China stating the impossibility of containing the pandemic without cooperating with China complicates things.

What does it mean?
If the G7 remains just as a talking shop that never gets anything realized, it will further global spiralling. A deadline of 2022 is undoubtedly a stretched goal given the inadequate doses. If the doses for distribution are increased and effective implementation undertaken, a substantial difference can be brought about. It is the time for brave global leadership; half measures won't help in achieving this goal – delivery is all. A united front will be key to bringing change.