File photo of WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus 

Brussels (People's Daily) - WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has appealed for solidarity of G20 members in a press conference recently. 

"The most important ask to G20 leaders is solidarity, to act as one, because they have the biggest stake in the world, in all respects", Tedros said.

The world still faces the shortage of personal protective equipment, and measures put in place to slow the spread of the virus may also have unintended consequences by exacerbating shortages of essential protective gear, and the materials needed to make them, according to Tedros. 

He emphasized that solving the problem requires political commitment and political coordination at the global level, especially the G20 members.

"I will be addressing heads of state and government from the G20 countries. Among other issues, I will be asking them to work together to increase production, avoid export bans and ensure equity of distribution, on the basis of need", he said. 

"We need unity in the G20 countries, who have more than 80% of global GDP. Political commitment at the G20 means strong solidarity that can help us to move forward and fight this pandemic in the strongest way possible."