The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, emphasized the need for an urgent launch of a global vaccination plan that brings together all those with scientific expertise, production capabilities, and financial resources, to ensure adequate supply and equitable distribution of vaccines and to enhance trust in them.
The official UN page recently reported that a virtual ministerial meeting of the UN Security Council was held on Wednesday, organized by the United Kingdom, which is presiding over the council this month, focusing on ensuring equitable access to vaccines in conflict-affected and insecure contexts and on implementing Security Council Resolution 2532 regarding a ceasefire in the context of COVID-19. The Secretary-General stated before the council that the COVID-19 pandemic continues relentlessly worldwide, upending people's lives and destroying economies while undermining sustainable development goals. He added, "The pandemic exacerbates all factors leading to instability and hinders our efforts in implementing Security Council Resolution 2532 to cease hostilities and prevent and resolve conflicts."
The Secretary-General pointed out that the rollout of vaccines to combat COVID-19 is a beacon of hope, saying, "Defeating COVID-19 now that we have begun to possess the scientific capacity to do so is more important than ever." Mr. Guterres stressed that vaccine equality is now the greatest moral test facing the global community, "We must ensure that everyone everywhere can be vaccinated as quickly as possible." He stated, "Those affected by conflict and insecurity are particularly at risk of being left behind. When the pandemic strikes, we are only safe if everyone is safe."
The Secretary-General drew attention to the urgent need for a global vaccination plan, noting that the G20 is well-placed to establish an emergency task force to prepare, coordinate, and finance the global vaccination plan. "This task force should include all countries capable of developing or producing vaccines if licenses are available, with the participation of the World Health Organization, GAVI, other relevant technical organizations, and international financial institutions." According to the UN, only ten countries have deployed 75% of all COVID-19 vaccines, while over 130 countries have not received a single dose, highlighting inequality and a lack of fairness in distribution.
Mr. Guterres warned that the coronavirus could mutate repeatedly if allowed "to spread like wildfire in the Global South or parts of it," potentially leading to new variants that are more transmissible, more lethal, and may threaten the effectiveness of current vaccines and diagnostics. He stated, "This could significantly prolong the pandemic, enabling the virus to return to plague the Northern Hemisphere and also delay global economic recovery."
Accordingly, the task force would have the capacity to mobilize pharmaceutical companies and key actors in the industry and logistics. The UN official added, "I am ready to mobilize the entire UN system to support this effort. A meeting of the G7 later this week can help generate the momentum needed to mobilize the necessary financial resources." The Secretary-General concluded his remarks by affirming that the disease can be defeated and economies can be reopened: "I am convinced this is possible. Let's achieve this together."
