Andina

Peru's President proposes to create regional fund for access to COVID-19 vaccines

Peruvian President Francisco Sagasti. Photo: ANDINA/Presidency of the Republic.

Peruvian President Francisco Sagasti. Photo: ANDINA/Presidency of the Republic.

12:51 | Lima, Dec. 14.

President Francisco Sagasti on Monday proposed to create a multilateral fund to subsidize insurance to support countries' efforts in their negotiations to access the COVID-19 vaccine.

President Sagasti's proposal was submitted to the Member States of the Forum for the Progress of South America (Prosur).

The initiative was taken up by Chile, as holder of the forum's Pro-tempore Presidency, and Colombia, the incoming holder.

"I believe that a multilateral fund promoted by Prosur, which would involve the United Nations and international financial organizations, could help —to a great extent— overcome the difficulties we have in securing access to some vaccines, as well as cover eventual compensations in the event of adverse effects," he explained.

The Peruvian leader affirmed that facing COVID-19 is a priority for Prosur, through coordination mechanisms that must be strengthened and deepened by exchanging experiences and knowledge, as well as joint and concrete actions.

Peru's top official believes that this issue should be one of the key points of Prosur's Declaration.

"In such a way that the conception of global public good —given to the vaccine and its access— can also consider the possibility of joint actions regarding the compensations," he expressed.

Economic reactivation

On the other hand, the Head of State noted that another key issue that Prosur should address in 2021 is the economic reactivation in the region, so that countries can help one another to create access to trade opportunities for their companies and workers.

(END) NDP/CVC/RMB

Published: 12/14/2020