World Health Summit Opens... UN Secretary-General Warns of "Vaccine Nationalism Risk"

WHO Secretary-General "40% Global Vaccination Target Achievable by Year-End"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki Ha-young] The 'World Health Summit,' discussing the lessons learned from COVID-19, opened in Berlin, Germany on the 24th (local time) for a 2-night, 3-day event.

Ant?nio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, emphasized in his opening commemorative video message, "Vaccine nationalism and hoarding will put us all at risk," and stressed that "a more rational distribution of vaccines is necessary."

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), stated, "Governments and vaccine producers must supply significantly more COVID-19 vaccines to the most vulnerable countries to control the pandemic," adding, "Vaccines should be distributed fairly under a sense of solidarity."

He also said, "The WHO's goal for all countries worldwide to complete COVID-19 vaccinations for 40% of their populations by the end of the year is achievable," and emphasized, "Countries such as the G20, which have already surpassed a 40% vaccination completion rate, should give priority to international projects for joint vaccine procurement and distribution, such as COVAX or the 'African Vaccine Acquisition Trust' (AVAT), when supplying vaccines."

Jens Spahn, Germany's Minister of Health, said, "COVID-19 has fundamentally changed the lives of people worldwide," and added, "We must utilize the hard-learned lessons."

The World Health Summit, held both online and offline until the 26th, gathers over 6,000 health experts, politicians, and entrepreneurs from more than 100 countries worldwide to discuss global health strategies such as fair vaccine distribution and lessons from COVID-19.