The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that many countries are still struggling to get vaccine supplies. Balanced distribution makes the pandemic end quickly.
As is known, equality of access to the Covid-19 vaccine is still an important issue during the current pandemic. Many low-income countries haven’t received the Covid-19 vaccine.
“We must encourage international solidarity and cooperation to accelerate global vaccination, one of which is through increasing vaccine production capacity. It can be achieved through diversification of vaccine production to developing countries,”
SAID INDONESIAN MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, RETNO MARSUDI IN HER SPEECH AT “THE FIRST MEETING OF THE INTERNATIONAL FORUM ON COVID-19 VACCINE COOPERATION”, IN AUGUST 5, 2021.
The conference was joined by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Director-General of WHO, Ministers of Foreign Affairs, and High Officials from more than 23 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, and America as well as representatives of other International Organizations.
The conference produced an outcome document in the form of a Joint Statement of the International Forum on Covid-19 Vaccine Cooperation. Countries participating at this conference include Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Hungary, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Pakistan, Philippines, Russian Federation, Serbia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, and Uzbekistan.
In addition, vaccine companies and vaccine research institutions from related countries are also participating, such as Sinopharm, Sinovac, Bio Farma, and Gamelaya Center Russia to strengthen the synergy between the Government, research institutions, and vaccine companies for handling the Covid-19 pandemic.
Retno also emphasized the importance of international cooperation to help developing countries in terms of strengthening essential infrastructure, research centers, production lines, cold storage facilities, and human resources.
International collaboration should facilitate access to raw materials, the release of IPR, transfer of technology, including mRNA vaccines as well as sound financing schemes.
Retno conveyed the importance of all countries’ support for the COVAX mechanism, as the only global platform that guarantees equal access for all countries. In addition, COVAX needs to immediately explore the allocation of vaccines for 20 percent of the population, especially in low-income countries.
Indonesian Foreign Minister participation is an Indonesian diplomatic effort that continues to be committed to encouraging all countries to strengthen solidarity and collaboration in tackling the pandemic. These include making vaccines a global public good and equal access and vaccines distribution for all countries.
