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G7: World Leaders to Focus on Vaccines, Post-COVID Recovery; U.K. Struggles to Contain More Transmissible Virus Variants; Kim Jong Un's Apparent Weight Loss Sparks Health Questions. Aired 10-11a ET
Aired June 11, 2021 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[10:00:27]
BECKY ANDERSON, CNNI ANCHOR: Tonight, side by side, G7 leaders gather in person for the first time since the pandemic began.
You're watching a special edition of CONNECT THE WORLD. I'm Becky Anderson in Abu Dhabi.
ISA SOARES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And I'm Isa Soares in Falmouth, on the Cornish Coast of England where the G7 summit is taking place this hour.
ANDERSON: Well, it's a packed couple of hours ahead for you on CONNECT THE WORLD, as leaders of the world's most advanced economies arrive in
Cornwall. I'll be bringing you my interview with the president of the European Council.
Also ahead, as Europe's festival of football kicks off just two hours from now, what fans and footballers alike can expect from the Euro 2020
tournament.
That's all coming up.
First up, G7 and a busy weekend ahead, Isa.
SOARES: Very much, a very long to-do list, Becky.
The leaders, though, went into their first meeting just moments ago. It is, of course, the first time gathering in person since the coronavirus
pandemic began. The heads of the world's wealthiest will focus on getting more vaccines to people around the world especially in poorer countries.
And they may not all, of course, be on the same page. They'll also be talking about post-COVID recovery, including global tax reform.
Now, going into the meeting, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the host, said there are opportunities to build back better. A theme, it seems,
of the summit. Plus, in the coming hours they are all attending a reception with Queen Elizabeth and as well as other members of the royal family.
CNN's Nic Robertson is in Carbis Bay, where all of this is unfolding.
And, Nic, we saw the G7 photo, and it was in many ways a show of unity. We've also heard Boris Johnson, what did he have to say? What's the theme
of the G7 meets today?
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Recovery. It's about recovery. It's about economic recovery from the pandemic. It's about
helping the world recover from the pandemic, particularly the poorer nations, making sure they get the vaccines they need. One nation fully
vaccinated does not make that nation safe.
The idea also is to use this building back, build back better, as Boris Johnson says, build back greener, to tackle environmental issues, to try to
find ways to improve, or rather slow down the global climate change. That's also one of the aims.
And another aim as well, we saw that thematically laid out, earlier today where both the duchess of Cambridge and Dr. Jill Biden went to a school to
see education at that school of children. But, you know, education is also a theme here, as in part empowerment to women and money being directed
towards schools and young women in Africa to aid in their education, you know, in the first stages of education but also to uplift millions of other
young women to sort of full secondary education.
So, the goals are lofty. If you look at the White House description, it's really simply says, you know, to try to develop a world, a globe, where
everyone is better aligned where there's more equality, where it's fairer, a global economy that can do better for everyone.
So, it's the rich nations looking after the poor. Recovery, the theme today.
SOARES: The theme is recovery today, we have heard from Chancellor Merkel of Germany, just before going in, when she said that she hopes the G7
summit, Nic, will send a strong message in support of multilateralism.
From the rest of the other G7 leaders, do you think they'll be singing from the same hymn sheet when it comes to Russia, when it comes to China? Talk
us through the areas where they may disagree on right here.
ROBERTSON: Yeah, I think the multilateral is a message, a significant, you know, phrasing of what everyone's thinking about here. You know, President
Biden talks about this is an inflection moment in history where democracies need to stand up for their values in front of autocracies like Russia and
China, and multilateralism, of course, is what President Trump lacked.
He was America first. And that's what he was criticized for and often during his leadership, Angela Merkel came off the roar end of President
Trump's way of doing business, if you will.
[10:05:00]
So, I think when we hear that from Angela Merkel, she is striking a cord with the other leaders.
But how do you really align that when it comes to dealing with China, let's say? Because Germany and other European Nations recognize that China is a
big market for them. Not the same for the United States. They will look as well towards climate change and recognize they need to work with China on
that. Where the Biden administration seems to want to the take a tougher line on China.
So aligned in theory, in details, there's differences.
SOARES: Yeah, thanks very much, Nic. And Nic Robertson there for us in Carbis Bay, England.
And, Becky, as you heard there from Nic, it's about -- really, Nic, about build back better. And it's about, Becky, recovery.
And I know you've been speaking to the president of the European Council, Charles Michel. What did he have to say to you?
ANDERSON: Yeah, I spoke to him, Isa, just before the show. And we covered a range of topics, including vaccine inequality, of course, COVID taking
front and center during this G7 Summit, as we pointed out at the beginning.
These leaders meeting for the first time since the pandemic began. And G7 leaders are now pledging to give a billion vaccine doses to low-income
countries by the end of 2022. Given that the WHO, though, believes at least 8 billion doses are needed in countries with low and middle incomes for
herd immunity.
I began by asking the European Council president if he believes that G7 pledge is really enough. Have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHARLES MICHEL, EUROPEAN COUNCIL PRESIDENT: We need to be totally committed, because we want to be safe until everyone is safe. And that's
why the European Union immediately went to the decision to demonstrate our international solidarity.
First concrete example, we decided to export doses that were produced in Europe and we exported 350 million doses. And last week, in the European
Council, we went to the decision to donate at least 100 million doses by the end of the year to the rest of the world.
And we are now very pleased that now, we are joined by other important countries and pleased with this announcement made by Joe Biden.
ANDERSON: Many say that any G7 promises to vaccinate the world will be impossible unless proposals to waive patents and share life-supporting
technology are supported. Your response?
MICHEL: We think individual (ph) term, it's important to export dosage of vaccines and to donate those vaccines. But we are also working to a very
concrete, in order to increase the level of production everywhere in the world.
And here, this is an important priority for us in Africa. It's the medical level in those countries. It means transfer of technologies, knowhow, and
it means also a debate on the intellectual property.
ANDERSON: So do you support proposals to waive patents and share life- saving technology?
MICHEL: We are also open to the debate, if the United States would put very concrete proposals on the table. But we are realistic. We know if we
want to be efficient, it's important to take everything into consideration, not only the question of the intellectual property and the legalization of
the intellectual property, but also of the technologies transferred, knowhow transferred, which are very important if we want to be able to
increase the manufacturing capacities, especially in some developing countries.
ANDERSON: Vaccine inequality and the wider story of the pandemic will be front and center at these G7 discussions. We also know that countering
China's influence will be front and center.
Let's zoom in on the E.U.'s looming investment pact with China before we get to those G7 discussions. This mammoth new economic deal between the
E.U. and China was due to be ratified but the European parliament has paused that process after a tit for tat sanctions war, particularly over
the treatment of Chinese Uyghur population.
Where does this E.U./China deal currently stand?
MICHEL: You know, we started the negotiations on this agreement with China ten years ago. And indeed, we went to the decision, the political level to
take a take step into the actual disagreement, because this agreement goes in the right direction. It means more reciprocity, more access to the
single market, and also some commitments were made by the Chinese authorities for the first time, especially to the social level. We are very
pleased during this G7 meeting to discuss and to have an in-depth dialogue with our partners on China, because we understand that we need to have a
clear approach towards China.
[10:10:15]
In Europe, we know what we want. We have three priorities. First, we don't paper over the human rights, the situation of the Uyghurs in China, the
situation in Hong Kong.
Second, we want to rebalance the economic relationships and this investment agreement endorsed its doors (ph) in this direction. And if we can't have a
common approach with some like-minded partners, we will stronger in order to rebalance the economic relationship.
And third, we think we need to engage with China on some global topics like climate change, for example.
ANDERSON: So, let's be quite clear about this. On the one hand, the E.U. is promising to curtail China's growing influence. And on the other, it's
making moves to further its economic reliance to a certain extent on China.
Just how tough can the E.U. be on China, if the bloc is going to rely so heavily with it as an investment partner going forward?
MICHEL: The rules-based international order should be the DNA of the international approach.
If we think that the forced labor is not acceptable, is not in accordance with the fundamental human rights, then also we have to have some leverages
in order to engage with China and to try to convince them to develop a more positive and more transitive (ph) approach, which has more respect for the
fundamental rights for the values that we have in common -- that we have in common with the G7 membership and other like-minded partners in the world.
ANDERSON: You have said that you support a fully open, transparent investigation into the origins of the pandemic. You said, I quote: We will
support all efforts to ensure transparency and to know the truth.
This is going to be very irritating to say the least, to the Chinese. They have not been transparent.
What measures are you taking to encourage more transparency going forward? And what are your concerns about seeking the truth?
MICHEL: Two points. We are very clear in Europe. We want the transparency. We want the truth.
We want to know what happened. And what was the starting point of this pandemic and we don't accept -- we don't accept the opacity on this
question. And that's why we support all the efforts in the framework of the WHO and we are going to see if other tools, our international tools could
be used in order to make sure that we'll have access to the full information, it's one first point.
Second point, I proposed with Dr. Tedros from the WHO, a treaty on the future pandemic, because we need to learn lessons.
And I hope we'll have a lot of support. It would be also under tool in order to make pressure into guarantee the transparency, the access to
information when we face such a pandemic and also it would be good to legally binding in order to strengthen the international cooperation, in
order to defeat a pandemic.
ANDERSON: Are you concerned, sir, bottom line here, that China is not offering full transparency and is not telling the truth about the origins
of this pandemic?
MICHEL: I'm confident. I think that it must be possible to be totally informed about what was the origin of this pandemic.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: That is the president of the European Council, Charles Michel, speaking with me. I'll bring you the second part of the conversation next
hour, where we spoke about E.U./Russia relations, as well as President Biden's arrival on the world stage. That's coming up.
Let me get you back to G7 at this point and to my colleague, Isa, who is in Falmouth.
SOARES: Thanks very much, Becky, fascinating interview there.
Well, as the G7 nations look at ways to help other countries, Becky touched on that interview just now, struggling with the pandemic, British Prime
Minister Boris Johnson wants to cut foreign aid.
Well, earlier, I spoke with British Foreign Secretary Dom Raab and he defended that decision. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DOMINIC RAAB, BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY: (INAUDIBLE) the third biggest global -- the third biggest donor after the G7. And although we've had to
make a difficult temporary financial decision because of the impact of COVID and the pandemic, even after that, we're still giving more than the
vast majority of other countries. It's 10 billion pounds, a huge amount.
And look at all the good that we're doing. We've doubled our commitment to international climate finance. I've explained what we're doing on vaccines.
We are making a substantial increase in our pledge on getting 40 million more girls back into education for the global partnership education summit.
[10:15:02]
In all of these areas, we are leading by example in these areas. I'm not shirking by the fact that we need to make this difficult decision.
Nonetheless, even after that, we're still providing the financial but the political leadership. What's crucial is that everything steps up to the
plate, which is why at the G7, we're working so closely not just with the Americans, with all of the countries to demonstrate that we can make a
real, a real game-changing shift in all of those areas I've mentioned.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Well, let's talk about more about. I'm joined by Dan Stevens, professor of politics at the University of Exeter.
Thanks so much for being here, Dan.
I'm going to pick up on that point from Dominic Raab. We heard Boris Johnson on the last hour or so basically say, the theme is, you know, build
back better. And here you have the U.K. cutting its foreign aid. Does it go against the message, the policy, the crux of what this G7 stands for?
DAN STEVENS, PROFESSOR OF POLITICS, UNIVERSITY OF EXETER: Yes, it does seem to. I think that the first point that has to be made, we are one of
the -- the U.K. is one of more generous nations in terms of foreign aid if you look at the absolute amount.
SOARES: Yes.
STEVENS: But the 0.7 percent of GDP already was already quite low relatively to many other countries. So, we're generous because we're one of
the larger economies. To cut that to 0.5 percent makes us even less generous, as is with this leveling up message, and the idea and seemingly
the spirit of this summit so far --
SOARES: Yeah.
STEVENS: -- of multilateralism.
This is -- this is the U.K. looking after itself with a bit more because of the devastation to our economy, wrought by COVID.
SOARES: And I suspect not just multilateralism but this whole idea that Boris Johnson keeps talking about is global Britain. Does that, do you
think, Dan, damage Britain's clout on the world stage? Do you expect any of the other G7 leaders who are meeting today, meeting this moment, to address
this, to actually say, by the way, we've also faced an economic crisis, we also faced a pandemic but we're still contributing?
STEVENS: And that may well happen, whether it will change minds or not, I don't know. But they will also be aware, the other leaders, that Boris
Johnson faces a rebellion from within his own party. And that this isn't a done deal, really even if the U.K. yet, it may not happen. So, they may
weigh in on that, too.
But the other thing to say about it is, it's not permanent.
SOARES: Yes.
STEVENS: You know? So, it may be 0.5 percent this year, it may go back to 0.7 percent. It could be even more generous in the future. That be
surprising, but it could be -- so, we don't quite know what's happening in the longer term.
SOARES: So, let's see other topics, let's talk about the other themes on the table, areas you think they may agree in terms of talking about the G7
leaders. Where do you think -- do you think they will be aligned when it comes to the question of Russia, let's say?
STEVENS: I think with Russia, there's certainly broad agreement about the things that need to be addressed where Russia is concerned, where -- and I
think the way in which the Russian program is framed, there's broad consensus there, there are problems -- there's a discomfort to say the
least with interference in elections, there's a discomfort with cyber hacking, ransomware and all these kind of things that's going on in Russia
the Russians stay the Russian government needs to be clamping down on this in ways it isn't.
But there as ever, there are these economic ties with Russia that make actual actions and agreements on actions a little bit complicated.
SOARES: But the rhetoric from Biden was quite strong in the last two days. Do you expect that sort of language coming from E.U. leaders, for example?
STEVENS: That's what we need to look out for because, yes, the language from Biden is very strong on Russia, it's very strong on China. But with
Russia, for example, is it going to be strong in saying the final communique from Germany, from Merkel where because of economic ties through
gas, basically, the gas that Germany gets from Russia, that makes a much more tricky, a much tricky proposition for Germany and, therefore, for the
E.U.
SOARES: So, lots of areas that they say eye to eye but clearly many disagreements about. Dan Stevens, really appreciate you speaking to us.
So, Becky, a lot for them to get through. Many areas as Dan was saying here our guest, that they will agree on but, of course, the topic of Russia and
particularly China for those European leaders who see it more of an economic ties there, that will be quite tricky when it comes to European
leaders vis-a-vis China and Joe Biden.
ANDERSON: Yeah, you want to be a fly on the wall as they navigate a lot of this.
SOARES: Yeah.
ANDERSON: A lot of talking will go on. What comes out of this, of course, is yet to be delivered.
Plenty of coverage this hour on all the big questions, the crucial discussions and the major agreements at the G7. Thank you, Isa, including,
of course, that COVID pandemic.
Ahead on the show, how the host country, the U.K. is wedging a battle against new variants now sweeping the nation.
And it may be a year late but the Euro 2020 tournament is ready to kick off, a look at the risks of football during a pandemic, when CONNECT THE
WORLD continues.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[10:22:34]
ANDERSON: Well, the G7 Summit may be the center of the political and diplomatic world right now but for many viewers, the real European showdown
starts later today in Rome. It is the kickoff of Euro 2020, delayed a year due to the pandemic but seen as a symbol of how Europe is ready to emerge
from the COVID shadow.
The tournament being held in 11 different countries and will conclude with the championship match at London's Wembley Stadium exactly a month from
today.
Well, joining me now is CNN's World Sport contributor Darren Lewis. He also covers football for Britain's "Daily Mirror".
For any of us who are football fans, this has been a long time in the making. It's a year late but it's great that we are so close to kickoff.
Just explain how COVID restrictions will play out during this tournament and what's in place to ensure that fans can at least get into these
stadiums and enjoy themselves.
DARREN LEWIS, CNN WORLD SPORT CONTRIBUTOR: Hello, Becky, I can talk personally because I will be covering the game between England and Croatia
on Sunday afternoon at Wembley Stadium here in London. And I will need to present a negative COVID test before getting into the stadium. That test
has to be taken within 51 hours of the kickoff.
So, you wait for the governing body of European football are doing all they can to ensure that we are kept safe, if you're a fan, if you're a player,
if you're official, or a journalist, you are kept incredibly safe.
And, you know, I was listening to (INAUDIBLE) a second, you know, Becky, there's something quite -- there's a real statement about the fact that the
games kick off in Italy, the scene of so much of the havoc and heartbreak we saw CNN's cover, of course, last year, 12 months ago, 12 months.
It starts off there. It also will take place here. There are lots of games in the group stages. The knockout stages as well and indeed the final. And
we have had so many problems here in London, too.
So, it's a real statement by the European governing body of football to be able to start this --
ANDERSON: Yeah.
LEWIS: -- competition and to ensure that it passes off, hopefully, without too much incident.
ANDERSON: Yeah, when you look at the map that we've just been showing our viewers and you see all 11 countries who are involved in this, and you
think back to what we've been through with regard to restrictions on moving around over the last 18 months, it does seem remarkable that we are at this
point.
[10:25:18]
So let's just consider actually what we are going to see on the pitch. Let's talk about the football, what are your -- what are your forecasts at
this point?
LEWIS: Well, I've got one big forecast, Becky, as I convert you to football by the end of this tournament. Every time I come on to your show,
I am going to get you invested in a team and we're going to follow their progress all the way through. And I'm going to --
ANDERSON: You don't have to get me involved. I'm a massive football fan. You're thinking of somebody else. Go on.
LEWIS: I will match my team against yours because I'm a big England fan. I think they've got the depth of quality, I think they've got home advantage,
of course. I think they've got winners in this side. Chelsea were winners in the Champions League. A number of the Manchester City players won the
Premier League in the squad as well.
And I think my England side will be good enough to take on any of the teams in the competition so far. I mean, saying that is quite something I
describe myself very much as Elizabeth Taylor of football fans in some respect inasmuch as they let me down so many times, and yet I still invest
in them, you know? But it is (AUDIO GAP) you fall in love with them almost. You get used to the heartbreak, if you like.
ANDERSON: Let me tell you, you may feel like that, I'm sure most Belgium fans feel like that as well. I fancy that team. It's got an awful lot of
talent in it. But, you know, they kind of let us down when it comes to the big tournaments.
I'm kind of -- even though I'm English I am, I'm looking forward to seeing the team and the squad. I think they are looking really smart. I do think
that the French stand an incredible chance of winning this tournament.
Listen, you referred to that Chelsea squad. They played Man City in the Champions League Final just a week or so ago in Porto and, unfortunately,
when -- some of the crowd were less than supportive when the players took a knee out of respect for a whole bunch of issues, not least that of kicking
out racism from the game. Same thing happened in a warm up game for England against Austria.
Do you expect to see protests by or some demonstration by players at the beginning of these games? And do you, unfortunately, expect to see some
cohorts of fans at some of these matches disrespecting the views of these footballers?
LEWIS: Yes, I do. We saw what's happened -- seen what's happened Stateside, of course, over the last four or five, six years and it's
happening here in this country.
Let's not forget why the players are taking a knee first of all. I want to set that out because the debate has carried on for so long that some people
have forgotten why they the players are doing it. It's a lack of representation within the sport.
Nobody at the top of the English game, for example, who is black. We have zero black referees, we've done features here on it on CNN. No -- zero
black referees in the Premier League, a handful of black managers out of the hundred in this country.
And if you look across European football, there are zero black referees and very few black people at the top of that game. And that's before you go out
into the wider society where we know about the social injustices.
So, the players are taking a knee here in this country. The fans have been booing on a regular basis. We think it will happen again on Sunday when
England play Croatia. And there are a number of other countries, too, where players have said, we will not take the knee, which is quite interesting.
But here in England, we're in no position to criticize them. The reception that has been to players kneeling in pursuit of racial justice and
continued debate over the whole thing. I think we'll be talking about this again, Becky.
ANDERSON: Yes. Absolutely. And we must. We absolutely must. We will also talk about what actually happens during the game. We are looking forward to
a festival of football.
Sir, it is always a pleasure. Thank you very much.
Let's get you up to speed on some of the other stories on our radar in the World of Sport.
Right now, Brazil's Supreme Court has given the go ahead for the Copa America football tournament. That will begin this weekend. The court
rejecting two bids to block it. Now, lawyers had argued that the tournament would lead to a spike in coronavirus cases in Brazil.
When it comes to Olympics, shutting out COVID-19 completely is, quote, impossible.
[10:30:04]
That is according to Tokyo 2020 coronavirus adviser, who says, instead, the focus should be on limiting the spread of infection. There has been
mounting pressure to call off the games due to the pandemic.
The 2032 Olympics are heading to Brisbane in Australia. The IOC has endorsed the city's unopposed bid for the future tournament, crediting its
track record in hosting large sporting events. Australia has hosted the Olympics twice previously, Melbourne in 1956 and many of you may remember
Sydney in 2000.
Well, the British royals in a charm offensive at the G7 summit, putting the spotlight on climate crisis and education. The duchess of Cambridge holding
a special one-on-one a short time ago with the U.S. first lady. That is just ahead.
Plus, CNN speaks to the Estonian president about the rising global cyber security threat as that G7 Summit gets under way. That is after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: I'm Becky Anderson in Abu Dhabi.
SOARES: And I'm Isa Soares in Falmouth, England, where the G7 leaders are currently meeting.
ANDERSON: So, it's a big diplomatic day with a touch of royal sort of affair, as it were. Explain.
SOARES: Indeed, we have seen a bit of that, Becky. But we will see farther on today, the queen will be meeting with G7 leaders a bill later and I'll
he speaking, of course, to CNN's one and only Max Foster about everything royals, as you can imagine.
But, first, Becky, I think you have a reset of the top headlines this hour.
ANDERSON: That's right. Let's get you that reset and from where we stand this hour.
The summit began just last hour. Leaders from the world's wealthiest democracy is meeting in person for the first time since the coronavirus
pandemic began. They focused today, the global economic, building back better in a post-COVID world. Overhauling the global tax system, helping
lower income countries gain access to more vaccines.
Well, outside of some of the issues, the rise of cyberattacks, another major problem that world leaders face. This month, Estonia holds the
presidency of the U.N. Security Council and it's hoping cybersecurity will be a priority during that period and indeed, at G7.
[10:35:07]
Let's talk more about that with the president of Estonia, Kersti Kaljulaid. She joins us live from the Estonian capital of Tallinn.
And you are making cybersecurity a top priority at the U.N. Security Council. It will no doubt be a talking point, a priority talking point at
G7 and at the NATO summit early next week.
Explain just how serious a threat you believe the world faces, not least from Russia or at least those cyber criminals working out of Russia.
KERSTI KALJULAID, ESTONIAN PRESIDENT: Well, first of all, indeed. This was an Estonian campaign promise because we are an elected member of the United
Nations Security Council. We promised to create first ever discussion about cybersecurity in the Security Council, and we are counting that.
Unfortunately, because we have conflicts globally, that will be a conflict which anyway is on the radar of the Security Council, which we'll also have
a cyber element in it.
This happened already last year in March. And this goes down into history as the first ever discussion of a cyberattack and attribution of it in the
Security Council. This was last year in March.
We followed up during our first council presidency with a real (ph) meeting or an informal meeting on cyber issues.
ANDERSON: Right.
KALJULAID: And now, this month, we are going to have a formal first ever debate about cybersecurity. Why this matters? Because sovereignty can be
under attack also by cyber means.
ANDERSON: Is your sovereignty under attack from Russia?
KALJULAID: No, because we are a small democracy, disrupting our democracy is as expensive as disrupting bigger, but the gains globally are far less.
We've heard for years about disruptions to election procedures and processes trying to create populism support the one and against another in
bigger democracies. So, the very important element of the cyber threat is to understand that geography doesn't matter here. Your influence on the
global scheme are all that matters.
ANDERSON: It's not just election interfering these days. It is -- it is interference in industries across the border. You've seen these recent
ransomware attacks.
And it is the U.S. who is alleging that Russia is harboring cyber criminals who are engaged in these nefarious practices. Your prime minister recently
said she's concerned about Russia as a whole. Its recent action not least that of cybersecurity, its support for Belarusian strongman Lukashenko, its
military buildup on your border.
With regard Russia, what message do you believe NATO allies, some of who are gathered for G7 and all of which will meet in Brussels next week, what
message do they need to send to Russia?
KALJULAID: First indeed. The first cyber incident discussed in Security Council was Russia against Georgia. Also, Ukrainians have seen attacks
against their electronic systems because this is accompanied by traditional conflict, which is very symptomatic by the way to cyber risks. Cyber risks
against the system, cyber conventional, if you wish.
Then we're talking about bubbles affecting democracy, but rather hard-core attacks against the system. They normally accompany classic conflict. And
since they are part of the classic conflict, it is also obvious that all the manuals, all the international law which we have created to handle this
conflict and risk should also apply similarly in the cyberspace.
This is very important to understand. This is not a separate issue. It is the same issue.
And this is my message as well -- in addition, in addition to creating international legal space and developing the understanding of legal space
applies in cyber, indeed, we need to work with the security of the systems and for the security of the systems, they first and foremost have to be
transparent which means that networks like BlueDot, for example, come into this picture rather big, because we need to be sure that we can trust the
technology which we are using but we understand this technology, that we can audit it against a standoff.
And this is where I would make the link between what we do in the Security Council and what G7 is doing.
ANDERSON: What do you want to hear from G7?
KALJULAID: Well, we need to start creating the global system of trusted technology. Obviously, we need to choose some kind of a network, some kind
of a standard-setting body, some kind of a systemic approach to this.
So, I don't expect G7 to come out with a proposal, but I do expect them to acknowledge that we have such a need. Because indeed, technology is
complex, our global world and markets are also very, very linked and also very complex. We need to understand the technology we are using.
This is not only cybersecurity issue. It's actually an every day issue. If the systems that are making decisions about people, these systems need to
be able to explain to us why they decided. And this is an area of standardization which the world today lacks despite the fact that we
already have many simple artificial intelligent systems in operation, for example, for these applications in many countries.
ANDERSON: And we can leave it there. We thank you very much indeed.
Estonia is one of the most advanced digital societies in the world. A lot of learning there for many countries out of Estonia, when it comes to COVID
and digitization of ID cards and vaccine passports going forward.
Thank you very much, indeed, for that.
The Estonian president there talking about the need to be prepared, Isa, with the sort of technology that is needed to counter cybercriminals. The
U.S. determined during these G7 discussions that it will garner the support of those gathered to counter China's growing influence as a tech
superpower.
It will be interesting to see just how the Europeans, for example, navigate those conversations with China, as we watch what happens over this week.
I'm sure that's -- that will be at the front of discussions that you'll be having as well with guests as we continue --
SOARES: Indeed.
ANDERSON: -- to cover this summit.
Isa, back to you.
SOARES: Thanks very much, indeed, Becky, given that the Europeans are less hawkish on China than the rest of the G7 countries.
But what we have also happening here today are three generations of the British royal family, Becky, are giving Cornwall a summit their all, I
think it's fair to say. The warmth between the U.S. First Lady Jill Biden and the duchess of Cambridge was really evident when they met for the first
time a short time ago.
Have a look at these images. They focused their meeting on children's education. Duchess Catherine, father in law, Prince Charles has been
courting CEOs in London ahead of the summit. Of course, you know, he likes to focus on climate change. It's something he wants to tackle.
And he'll be joining everyone this evening for a royal reception at the Eden Project. So, a truly royal affair. Of course, the queen being front
and center a bit later, Becky.
ANDERSON: All right. Good stuff. Thank you, Isa.
Well, be the COVID-19 pandemic top of the agenda at G7 as well as a busy one, isn't it, especially since now a fast-moving variant is spreading
through the country, and it could affect the U.K.'s or certainly England's re-opening plans.
Well, a change in appearance sparks speculation over Kim Jong-un's health after he's spotted in public for the first time in over a month. That is
coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[10:45:35]
ANDERSON: Almost 90 percent of countries in Africa are set to miss the goal of vaccinating 10 percent of their population by September. That is
according to WHO, which as you can see here, less than 1 percent of Africans are currently fully vaccinated. The group also warns that new
cases rose by almost 20 percent last week.
Well, statistics like these are why the G7 has agreed to donate 1 billion doses to the WHO's COVAX program which gets the shots to low and middle-
income countries. The U.K. has agreed to donate 100 million doses to the scheme and to countries in need.
Well, the U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson calling for more donations. His own country has seen the results of a successful vaccination campaign. But
now, Britain is struggling the curb the spread of COVID variant, one that is even more easily spread.
Ninety-one percent of new cases in England are the so-called Delta variant, the one that was first identified in India. Public health England says the
variant has a 64 percent of increased risk of household transmission compared to the -- compared to the other Alpha variant. It's now thought
that the U.K. may delay the final lifting of restrictions.
Well, let's bring in CNN's Phil Black in Essex in England, where one of many places where the variant has been detected in recent weeks.
And, Phil, it was the 21st of June, many people were calling that freedom day when these final restrictions would have been lifted. Some talk now
that the government may delay that. And you have been working on the story as to why.
PHIL BLACK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, it's because, Becky, this variant that you touched is spreading so quickly. Cases have really spiked
recently, although still relatively low in a national sense. They are now doubling every five to ten days or so, according to health officials here.
The understanding of this variant is growing every day, too. Very recently, we were told it was about 40 percent more transmissible by the U.K. health
secretary. Today, as you touched on, the official -- the standing is now around 64 percent more transmissible. So, it can potentially move through
the population very quickly.
What scientists agree on is a big wave is building. What they can't be sure of yet is what that is going to look like, especially in a country where
there is now so much more immunity in the population but where the vaccine program is not yet complete. And that is why the government has to make
some pretty tricky political decisions in the coming days.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BLACK (voice-over): In this corner of Northwest England coronavirus anxiety is peeking, again. Here, British army soldiers walk the streets,
handing out information, and test kits. Mobile vaccination teams, working to get doses to all willing adults and masks are still everywhere, even
outside -- a rare sight in the U.K.
Are you worried about what's happening here?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, yeah, definitely. If you're not, there's something wrong with you then.
BLACK: The big signs explain why. The town of Bolton is the U.K.'s leading hotspot for a highly contagious coronavirus variant.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I know a lot more people who've had it in the last three weeks than they did -- or the last four weeks, compared to the last
12 months. It's a lot of people who catch it.
BLACKWELL: First discovered during India's recent devastating wave, also known as the Delta variant, it has quickly become the dominant strain in
the U.K. The British government says the data, so far, is about 40 percent more transmissible than the U.K.'s previous dominant variant. An earlier
analysis conducted by Public Health England shows it is twice as likely to result in hospitalization. It's also driven an increase in school
outbreaks, since children have been vaccinated.
Eight-year-old (INAUDIBLE) lives in nearby Blackburn, a community where cases of the variants are growing rapidly.
UNIDENTIFIED BOY: I don't know how I caught it.
BLACK: Why was he tested?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No temperature, no headache. Nothing.
BLACK: It was just a routine test?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yeah, a routine test.
ADAM FINN, MEMBER, UK'S JOINT COMMITTEE ON VACCINATION & IMMUNISATION: The trends suggest that we should be alarmed. But --
BLACK: Adam Finn is a professor of pediatrics, who advises the British government on vaccine policy.
FINN: Because children get this infection less and tend to transmit less than adults do.
[10:50:00]
So, certainly, seeing cases amongst children is another canary in the mine, if you like. It's certainly another sign if it goes on going up, that we're
dealing with a highly infectious variant.
BLACK: The U.K.'s vaccine program has made huge progress, with more than 50 percent of all adults, now, fully vaccinated, and at around another
quarter of the population covered by a first dose.
But some scientists fear this new variant could tear through the remaining unprotected population in a wave of cases that would, once again, police
huge pressure on the health system.
The government had hoped to lift all remaining social restrictions, and reopen society on June 21st. Whether to proceed with that plan is looming
as one of the most difficult decisions of Britain's pandemic experience.
FINN: Opening up, and having a big further wave, and having to shut down again would be worse for everyone.
BLACK: The government, blame by critics for moving too slowly to stop travel from India, allowing the variant to take hold here. The government
says that assessment is unfair, but what it does next will be fiercely scrutinized, in a country that has sacrificed much, and is desperate to
move on.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLACK (on camera): So the government is going to make its decision on Monday about whether to proceed with or delay its plan for re-opening. The
key test is what's happening in hospitals. Does lots of new cases still mean lots of people falling seriously ill and needing hospital treatment or
as it's hoped, are the vaccines doing their job and disrupting the link between these two things?
Scientists are cautious. They think it is finally balanced and that is why many are urging the government for more time here -- Becky.
ANDERSON: Yes. Phil Black on the story -- thank you, Phil.
Coming up on CONNECT THE WORLD, why Kim Jong-un's apparent weight loss could have geopolitical consequences. More on that after this break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: While the focus lies on world leaders who are gathered in person in Cornwall in England, another head of state is raising eyebrows. North
Korea's Kim Jong Un has appeared on state media for the first time in a moment looking noticeably slimmer. Experts were quick to point out his
apparent weight loss and speculate about what it might mean for his health.
Will Ripley has this report.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WILL RIPLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Time may not be the only thing Kim Jong-un's watch is good at telling. Can it also be a barometer
for the North Korean leader's level of fitness?
Kim is often pictured wearing the same $12,000 IWC Swiss timepiece, believed to be one of his favorites.
Images released Saturday by North Korean state media and analyzed by South Korean media appear to show the watch fitting on a much tighter notch than
in previous sightings, indicating a thinner wrist and sparking widespread speculation about a weight loss transformation.
Side by side video comparisons do appear to show Kim to be much more svelte now than in 2020.
But far from just being an Internet curiosity, Kim's suddenly slimmer appearance could have geopolitical implications. His weight is one of many
things global intelligence agencies monitor.
Why would spy agencies in South Korea and the U.S. be looking at something like Kim Jong-un's weight?
[10:55:04]
COLIN ZWIRKO, SENIOR ANALYTIC CORRESPONDENT, NK NEWS: His health is obviously a concern of foreign governments in the region because the
country has nuclear weapons. He's -- it's a dictatorship with a cult of personality leadership system. So, if something happens to the leader, that
affects regional security.
RIPLEY: Experts have long assessed that Kim Jong-un was at high risk of cardiovascular disease.
His father also has a history of heart issues. Kim's father and grandfather both died of heart attacks while head of North Korea. In November 2020, the
National Intelligence Service of South Korea reportedly told lawmakers they believed Kim Jong-un's weight had ballooned to about 140 Kilograms, 308
pounds, speculating that he had gained some 50 kilograms, 108 pounds since coming to power in 2011.
In recent months, the already reclusive Kim has been out of the public eye, more than usual, amidst rumors of declining health. His reappearance
Saturday on the global stage, arguably reignited that conversation among foreign intelligence agencies.
Could this shedding of pounds be the result of some mysterious illness or is he thinner by choice, a conscious effort to achieve better health and
extend his longevity as leader?
The answer, only time will tell.
Will Ripley, CNN, Taipei.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Well, you are watching CONNECT THE WORLD. I will be back with my colleague, Isa Soares, for another hour after this.
Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Hello and welcome to a special edition of CONNECT THE WORLD. I'm Becky Anderson in Abu Dhabi for you.
SOARES: And I'm Isa Soares in Falmouth, in Cornwall, where the G7 is kicking off.
ANDERSON: Well, the world economy a major focus with a global tax rate and aid for countries in need, top of the agenda. U.S. President Joe Biden and
these G7 leaders will discuss ways to forge a more fair, sustainable, and exclusive global economy that meets the unique challenges of our time -- or
at least that is the message from them, Isa.
[11:00:00]
END
