World leaders have launched a pledging "marathon" to raise at least €7.5 billion for research into a possible vaccine and treatments for coronavirus.
Ireland has pledged €18 million to the fund. Organisers of the donor event include the European Union, the UK and Norway, as well as Japan, Canada and Saudi Arabia.
But it does not involve the United States. China, where the virus originated in December, is only represented by its ambassador to the EU.
Governments aim to raise funds over several weeks or months, building on efforts by the World Bank, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and wealthy individuals and turn the page on the fractious and haphazard initial response around the world. "I believe the 4th of May will mark a turning