WASHINGTON, April 23 (Reuters) - The Saudi presidency of the Group of 20 major economies on Thursday called for additional immediate donations to fund the emergency response to the coronavirus pandemic and develop needed vaccines.

In a statement, the G20 secretariat said $1.9 billion had been donated by countries, philanthropic organizations and the private sector toward an $8 billion target set by the Global Preparedness Monitoring Board, but more funds were needed.

"Global challenges demand global solutions and this is our time to stand and support the race for a vaccine and other therapeutic measures to combat COVID-19," Saudi G20 Sherpa Fahad Almubarak said. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Sandra Maler)