"This was a powerful and inspiring demonstration of global solidarity," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a virtual briefing, of the 7.4 billion euros ($8.1 billion) raised towards the development and distribution of a vaccine for the virus that causes COVID-19.

Monday's teleconference, which was hosted by the European Commission, almost hit the target of 7.5 billion euros for the search for a vaccine to protect against COVID-19, and especially to ensure equitable distribution once one is developed. 

"This is an opportunity for the world to come together to confront a common threat, but also to forge a common future," Tedros said.

He stressed that the money raised would only cover part of the ongoing response against the pandemic, which has killed nearly 250,000 people out of the more than 3.5 million recorded infections globally.

"In the weeks and months ahead, we will need much more to meet the demand for personal protective equipment, medical oxygen and other essential supplies," he said.

The United States on Monday played down the European-led telethon from which Washington is absent.

The United States did not explain why it did not take part in Monday's event, but it came as President Donald Trump fights the WHO.

"As the global leader in COVID-19 foreign assistance, we welcome the EU efforts to secure pledges for additional contributions to combat this pandemic," a senior US official told reporters.

"Many of the organisations and programmes this pledging conference seeks to support already receive very significant funding and support from the US government and private sector," he said on condition of anonymity.

Pressed on why the United States was staying away, the official called the EU effort "one of many pledging efforts that are going on" and said Washington "is at the lead, really, at the forefront of those international efforts".

The official gave a figure of $2.4 billion in US health, humanitarian and economic assistance for the response to COVID-19, which has killed nearly 250,000 people around the world.

But Trump has vowed to freeze funding for the WHO, to which the United States gives more than $400 million a year, as he accuses the UN body of acting too slowly and not challenging China when the illness was first detected there.

Critics say Trump is seeking to deflect attention from his own handling of the pandemic, which he said in January was under control but has claimed far more lives in the United States than any other country.

eNCA