10th September, 2021
By Cecilia Ologunagba
UN Secretary-General António Gutierrez has urged the Emergency Task Force to implement a global vaccination plan to ensure equitable distribution of vaccines globally.
He made the call while briefing reporters ahead of the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) at UN headquarters in New York.
According to him, member states have to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We still have an opportunity to act together, in solidarity and self-interest, to end the pandemic before it does even more damage.
“I hope the forthcoming General Debate will see action on a global vaccination plan, implemented by an emergency task force.
“The Task Force is made up of countries that produce or can produce vaccines, the World Health Organisation (WHO), and its partners, and international financial institutions.
“This Task Force should work with pharmaceutical companies guaranteeing at least that production of vaccines will double and ensure that vaccines reach seventy per cent of the world’s population in the first half of 2022,’’ he said.
Guterres said the next two weeks would also see opportunities for action on the climate crisis and an inclusive, equitable recovery from the pandemic.
Meanwhile, he added that the meeting would also see to the inclusion of decent jobs and social protection, ending the scourge of racial discrimination, transforming our food systems so that they deliver for all, and eliminating nuclear weapons.
“In all these meetings, I hope the Member States will heed the warning signs and the calls of their people for unity and solidarity,’’ the top UN official said.
