(CNN) President Joe Biden will participate in a virtual G7 event on Friday where he plans to discuss efforts to combat the Covid-19 pandemic and rebuild the world economy. It's his first meeting with leaders from the Group of Seven nations as president and represents a departure from former President Donald Trump's handling of the pandemic and global relations. He'll specifically focus on areas including "coordination on vaccine production, distribution, and supplies, as well as continued efforts to mobilize and cooperate against the threat of emerging infectious diseases by building country capacity and establishing health security financing," a White House statement released Sunday evening said. When it comes to rebuilding an economy badly battered by the pandemic, Biden is set to focus on "the importance of all industrialized countries maintaining economic support for the recovery," the statement said. The virtual meeting, hosted by the United Kingdom, will also include leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the European Commission and European Council.

Source: CNN February 14, 2021 23:48 UTC