The coronavirus pandemic is assuming nuclear dimensions. Billions have been impacted, pillars of the global order are in a state of full or partial lockdown, unable even with advanced technologies and proficient health care systems to protect their populations, exposing the vulnerabilities of the developing world.

The G-20 video conference indicates that an effort, albeit delayed, to address the pandemic collectively is beginning to take shape. The earlier G-7 meeting could not issue a joint statement because the Americans wanted a reference in it to the "Wuhan Virus," which the others opposed as as to retain the focus on international cooperation and not apportion blame. If the G-20 had failed to issue a communique for this reason, its own future as well as prospects of any coordinated international cooperation to combat the virus would have been jeopardized.

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