The European Union (EU) must use its leverage to ensure people everywhere have access to COVID-19 vaccines, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Thursday.
In a wide-ranging multilingual speech to the European Parliament in Brussels, the UN chief underscored the need to ramp up vaccinations globally.
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“The pandemic is causing more deaths today than a year ago. And vaccines are our only way out of this crisis. They must be considered as a global public good, available and affordable to all,” he said.
“Vaccine equity is not only the greatest moral test of our times. It is also a matter of effectiveness”, he added.
Vaccine task force
The Secretary-General reiterated his recent call for an Emergency Task Force that would mobilize pharmaceutical companies and key industry players in implementing a plan to ensure the entire global population is vaccinated by “as early as possible in 2022.”
Members would include vaccine-producing countries, as well as nations that could manufacture these treatments provided they have assistance, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO); the vaccine alliance, GAVI, and international financial institutions.
The Task Force would explore all options to scale-up vaccine production, such as technology transfers, patent pooling, sharing intellectual property, and addressing supply chain bottlenecks.
“And the European Union must use its leverage as a global actor to help in this effort and ensure fair and equitable access to vaccines for all”, he said.
Creating a fairer world
Fresh from being re-appointed as UN Secretary-General, Mr. Guterres told parliamentarians from the 27 member bloc, that he will use his second term to foster more effective global cooperation to address common concerns.
“The pandemic has revealed our shared fragility, our inter-connectedness, and the overwhelming need for collective action. Our biggest challenge — and greatest opportunity — is to use this crisis as a chance to pivot to a greener, fairer and more sustainable world,” he said.
With the pandemic exposing shocking inequalities between developed and developing countries, he urged governments to consider imposing a “solidarity tax” or “wealth tax” on those who profited from the crisis, which would go towards funding socio-economic recovery.
“But beyond that, developing countries must have access to additional liquidity,” he said, speaking in French. “In this context, I renew my call to support the most vulnerable people and countries, including, if necessary, through debt relief.”
Climate action
Addressing the fragile state of the planet, Mr. Guterres thanked the EU for showing leadership in achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
More and more countries are joining the drive for carbon neutrality, and he said their commitments must be bolstered by clear deadlines for ending fossil fuel subsidies and finance, and plans to halve emissions by 2030.
Ahead of the COP26 UN climate change conference this November in Scotland, the Secretary-General urged the EU to mobilize the $100 billion to support climate action in developing countries, as promised under the Paris Agreement on climate change.
“With many countries on the frontline of the climate crisis, we have a moral imperative and a clear economic case for supporting developing countries to adapt and build resilience to current and future climate impacts,” he said.
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“The pandemic is causing more deaths today than a year ago. And vaccines are our only way out of this crisis. They must be considered as a global public good, available and affordable to all. Vaccine equity is not only the greatest moral test of our times. It is also a matter of effectiveness.”
“The pandemic is causing more deaths today than a year ago. And vaccines are our only way out of this crisis. They must be considered as a global public good, available and affordable to all. Vaccine equity is not only the greatest moral test of our times. It is also a matter of effectiveness,” she added.
“The pandemic is causing more deaths today than a year ago. And vaccines are our only way out of this crisis. They must be considered as a global public good, available and affordable to all.”
“Vaccine equity is not only the greatest moral test of our times. It is also a matter of effectiveness.”
Is the European Union taking concrete steps to implement the UN Chief’s proposal for global vaccine equity?
Yes, the European Union is actively working on strategies to align with the UN Chief’s call for global vaccine equity. Various EU member states are collaborating to ensure fair distribution and affordability of COVID-19 vaccines worldwide. Let’s hope more nations join this crucial effort!
“It’s absolutely crucial for the Euro Parliament to step up and support global COVID-19 vaccine access. The UN Secretary-General’s plea resonates deeply – vaccines are our saving grace in this crisis, and ensuring universal availability is paramount for saving lives worldwide. Let’s unite for vaccine equity and effective global health security!”
As a global citizen, I believe that it is imperative for the European Union to actively engage in ensuring vaccine equity worldwide. Guterres is right – vaccines should be accessible to all as a global public good. It’s not just a moral obligation but also crucial for effectively combating this pandemic.
Does the European Union have the necessary mechanisms in place to effectively leverage its power and ensure wide access to COVID-19 vaccines globally?
Yes, the European Union holds significant influence and must capitalize on it to guarantee equitable global access to COVID-19 vaccines. It is crucial for the EU to implement mechanisms that prioritize vaccine distribution to all nations in need.
“The pandemic is causing more deaths today than a year ago. And vaccines are our only way out of this crisis. They must be considered as a global public good, available and affordable to all,” she said. “Vaccine equity is not only the greatest moral test of our times. It is also a matter of effectiveness,” she added.
“The pandemic is causing more deaths today than a year ago. And vaccines are our only way out of this crisis. They must be considered as a global public good, available and affordable to all,” she said.
“Vaccine equity is not only the greatest moral test of our times. It is also a matter of effectiveness”, she added.
Could you provide more details on how the European Union plans to leverage its influence to ensure global access to COVID-19 vaccines as urged by the UN Secretary-General?
How can the European Union effectively leverage its influence to ensure global access to COVID-19 vaccines as urged by the UN Secretary-General?