'COVAX Facility' Friendly Group Statement Released... "Support for Sufficient and Equitable Vaccine Distribution"

Reaffirming South Korea's Commitment to Participation in the COVAX Facility

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The COVAX Facility friendly group, consisting of 14 countries including South Korea, jointly issued a statement on the 21st supporting the sufficient and equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.

The COVAX Facility is a multinational coalition led by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI, vaccine development), and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (vaccine supply), aiming for equitable vaccine distribution to 20% of the global population by the end of 2021. Discussions for its launch are currently underway.

The friendly group includes countries with similar positions led by Singapore and Switzerland to facilitate the composition and operation of the COVAX Facility. Participants include Australia, Canada, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Saudi Arabia, New Zealand, Norway, Qatar, Singapore, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the European Union.

This joint statement was issued to emphasize the spirit of multilateral cooperation and solidarity in vaccine distribution within the international community, express continuous support for the COVAX Facility at the friendly group level, and encourage participation in the related processes.

According to the "COVID-19 Vaccine Introduction Plan" discussed at the Cabinet meeting on the 15th, the South Korean government plans to first secure vaccines for 60% of the population (approximately 30 million people) in the first phase, of which 20% (about 10 million doses) will be secured through participation in the COVAX Facility.

The government has repeatedly expressed its active participation stance in the COVAX Facility and is playing a constructive role together with other friendly group countries in the process of its launch.