Kinshasa, March 24th, 2021 (CPA) – The United Nations stands in solidarity with Africa in the race for vaccination against Covid-19 and the fight against climate change, said UN General Secretary Antonio on Tuesday. Guterres, on the occasion of a meeting with the Group of African countries members of the Organization, reports the magazine UN INFO Africa has so far reported more than four million cases of Covid-19 and more than 100,000 Africans have lost their lives as a result of the disease.
“The United Nations is fully committed to working closely with African countries on vaccine deployment. As I have said many times, a vaccine against Covid-19 must be a global public good accessible to everyone, everywhere.
Vaccine equity is a moral test of global solidarity”, said UN chief told representatives of African countries. COVAX, the Global Vaccine Equity Mechanism has started distributing doses around the world, including some of the low-income countries.
As of March 21st, 26 African countries had received more than 15 million doses through this mechanism. But the General Secretary has expressed deep concern that many low-income countries have yet to receive a single dose, while the richer countries are on track to immunize their entire populations.
“We see many examples of nationalism and vaccine build-up in richer countries, as well as ongoing side deals with manufacturers that compromise access for all. The world must come together to produce and distribute enough vaccines for all, which means at least doubling the manufacturing capacity in the world”, added Mr. Guterres, who also saw a need for enhanced collaboration between COVAX and the African vaccine procurement team. ACP/Kayu
