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Peru: COVID-19 pandemic vaccines must become global public goods

Photo: ANDINA/Presidency of the Republic

18:26 | Lima, Dec. 3.

The President of the Republic Francisco Sagasti on Thursday reiterated to the United Nations his country's request for the vaccines against the SARS-CoV-2 virus —which causes COVID-19— to be declared global public goods.

The Head of State delivered remarks during an extraordinary session of the UN General Assembly, convened to address the response to the pandemic. At the event, a hundred international leaders are expected to participate via video messages.

Unprecedented situation

President Sagasti —who took office two weeks ago in the midst of a political crisis— reiterated to the UN the stance that Peru maintains on the use of vaccines since the former administration of Martin Vizcarra, who was removed from the Presidency by Congress last November.

After recalling that the pandemic has already killed 1.3 million people and infected more than 59 million worldwide, the Head of State affirmed that "in an unprecedented situation like this, all countries of the world" face "two catastrophes simultaneously."

The first of them has been "an accelerated catastrophe" caused by COVID-19 "that has devastated the planet in a few months" and —the second one— in a "not-so slow motion" of climate change.

Innovative solutions

The Peruvian top official remarked that "the magnitude of the challenges posed by these two catastrophes constitute —at the same time— an opportunity to implement innovative solutions in all areas, as well as to correct inequalities, deficiencies, and social vulnerability."

The statesman added that Peru has already joined mechanisms to promote access to vaccines, such as the COVAX Facility initiative; GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance; and the SEPI foundation "in order to ensure the health and physical integrity of Peruvians."

Mr. Sagasti also remarked that "in order to jointly address the COVID-19 and climate change crises," Peru considers that "the gaps in multilateralism must be closed."

(END) EFE/JCR/MVB

Publicado: 3/12/2020