Diplomatic Correspondent: Highlighting the need for the Covid-19 vaccines to be made available, affordable and distributed equitably to all countries that need those most, Ambassador Rabab Fatima, the Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN in New York urged that a fair equity principle is needed to ensure this.
Although developments in regard to various vaccine candidates are undoubtedly very encouraging, she stressed that strong global commitment and collaboration to treat Covid-19 vaccine as a ‘global public good’ is absolutely essential.
Asserting that the Covid-19 pandemic is a stark reminder that the world is interconnected, Ambassador Fatima mentioned, the international community have a stake in addressing this global public health challenge together.
She cautioned, “If we want to prevent a recurrence, we need to prepare, prevent and recover together, with an effective global outreach”.
They also stressed that these are a first but essential step towards achieving the SDGs and helping the world “build back better.”
They also said that WHO and Gavi will start working to find out modalities for procurement and incentivising differential market access for high and low-and middle-income countries.
A total of 2 billion doses of vaccines are estimated to be needed globally by the end of 2021, the meeting was told.
In his concluding speech, Lord Ahmad, United Kingdom Minister of State for the Commonwealth and the United Nations reiterated the commitment of the British government to the equitable distribution of vaccines and treatment of Covid-19 for the global people, and in particular for the people of South Asia region.
He further mentioned that his government has already authorized 760 million British Pounds in funding for Covid-19 initiatives.
A large number of Permanent Representatives to the United Nations, diplomats, representatives of various international organizations, private sector and civil society organizations attended the meeting.❑
