• The emergence of the new Covid variant is a result of the failure of the richest nations to share their vaccines with developing countries, said the foundation’s president, Rajiv J. Shah.
  
• South African scientists reported their discovery of the new highly mutated variant late last week, though cases have now been identified around the world.
  
• Omicron’s plethora of mutations led to the WHO designating it a “variant of concern” and “very high risk,” though much remains to be learned about it in the coming weeks.
  

The failure of the wealthiest nations to share Covid-19 vaccines quickly and widely with developing countries is a key reason for the emergence of the new omicron variant, according to Rajiv J. Shah, president of the Rockefeller Foundation.

South African scientists reported their discovery of the highly mutated variant late last week, though cases have now been identified around the world. Dutch authorities say the variant was already in the Netherlands when South Africa alerted the World Health Organization about it.

Omicron’s plethora of mutations led to the WHO designating it a “variant of concern” and “very high risk,” though much remains to be learned in the coming weeks about the severity of symptoms and the variant’s ability to evade vaccines and treatments.

Speaking to CNBC at the Conference de Paris on Tuesday, Shah said the pandemic has highlighted the “tremendous ingenuity and innovation” in the private sector that can be used in public policy. Operation Warp Speed in the U.S. is a “huge success story,” he added.

However, he suggested that the developed world had failed in its two objectives to ensure that such success could be emulated globally.

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Chinese and Russian governments agreed to further deepen mutual trust and cooperation, as Chinese Premier Li Keqiang held the 26th regular meeting between Chinese and Russian heads of governments with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin via video conference on Tuesday.

Speaking at the event, Li noted that China and Russia, both major economies and emerging markets, share strategic consensus on upholding multilateralism and safeguarding the international system with the United Nations at its core, and the international order based on international law. 

Mishustin said the Russia-China comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era is at an all-time high and continues to develop rapidly. The two countries should jointly cope with external challenges on the basis of mutual respect, mutual trust, equality and mutual benefit, and that Russia supports China in hosting the Beijing Olympic Winter Games. They jointly announced a Joint Communiqué and cooperation documents.

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