Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala calls for urgent equitable access to Covid vaccines

Tommy on May 5, 2021 | Time- 8:40pm

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The Director General of the World Trade Organization, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has called for urgent equitable access to covid vaccines.

The Director-General made this statement at a meeting of the WTO General Council on Wednesday, where the issue of equitable access to the COVID-19 vaccine and other medicines was addressed.

Okonjo-Iweala urged WTO members to urgently respond to the need for solutions that improve equitable access to vaccines around the world.

He described necessity as the "moral and economic question of our time."

The former Nigerian finance minister noted that "the way the WTO handles this issue is critical."

According to her, the WTO should develop a sense of urgency towards the distribution of Covid-19 vaccines.

“We need to have a sense of urgency on how we approach this COVID-19 response issue because the world is watching.

"Vaccine policy is economic policy because global economic recovery cannot be sustained unless we find a way to get equitable access to vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics," she added.

During the meeting, a progress report was presented and approved outlining the common goal of WTO members to provide access to affordable medicines and vaccines for all.

The status report provided unbiased and neutral information highlighting the discussions and the need for further discussion on vaccine distribution.

At the end of the meeting, Okonjo-Iweala expressed his condolences to the countries that are experiencing an increase in the Covid 19 pandemic.

Tags: COVID-19 VACCINE OKONJO-IWEALA OMC