September 28, 2020

expert comment on Boris Johnson’s speech to the United Nations general assembly

Last Saturday the prime Minister addressed the UN General Assembly, pledging £500 million to the Covax global vaccine-sharing scheme, and extra funding to the World Health Organisation. The comment below was issued in advance of the speech. 

Dr Gail Carson, Deputy Chair of the Global Outbreak Alert & Response Network (GOARN), said:

“As the UK deals with a surge of COVID-19 it is heartening to see the UK Government back the World Health Organisation with increased funding and support the global COVID-19 vaccine sharing scheme COVAX to ensure fair distribution of vaccines.  We need to live the global solidarity that is desperately called for by many.  The pandemic has shown us that countries must work together for preparedness to outbreaks, during response and planning for recovery.

“Going forward, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a UN initiative signed by the countries back in 2015, could help provide a roadmap to recovery and a better future for all.  The SDGs cover many of the issues we face as a World, which require collective action.”

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