The G7 group of leading industrialized democracies pledged on Tuesday to strengthen efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak in Congo, citing increased international travel linked to the FIFA World Cup.
"Millions will travel globally for business and tourism, and to enjoy the World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico in the weeks ahead," the G7 said in a joint statement adopted at its summit in Évian, France. "We must ensure that they can do so safely."
The G7 said it would step up coordination among national authorities, while "respecting national prerogatives," and was working on harmonized travel, quarantine and isolation procedures for people who have recently been in affected regions.
The Group of Seven - Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States - also called on crisis-response organizations to improve coordination and avoid duplication of efforts to ensure the fastest and most effective response possible.
In addition, the US will convene a meeting of G20 foreign ministers to discuss further joint measures and secure broader financial support for a coordinated global response, the statement said. The G20 includes a wider group of advanced and emerging economies than the G7.
The Ebola outbreak in north-eastern Congo has affected the World Cup in several ways, including the Congolese national football being required to remain outside the country for 21 days before travelling to the US in order to comply with US quarantine requirements.
