(Xinhua photo)
MANILA – President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Wednesday called for “universal access” to a coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccine, saying it is the only way to beat the global health crisis.
In his first speech before the 75th United Nations General Assembly, Duterte cited the need for “rich and poor nations” to have access to a vaccine.
"The world is in the race to find a safe and effective vaccine. When the world finds that vaccine, access to it must not be denied nor withheld. It should be made available to all, rich and poor nations alike, as a matter of policy,” he said.
Duterte said the Philippines joins its partners in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and the Non-Aligned Movement in believing that the Covid-19 vaccine must be considered “a global public good.”
With each nation having a strategy in fighting the pandemic, he said, the world needs “coordinated international plans and efforts” to defeat the health crisis.
“Covid-19 knows no border. It knows no nationality. It knows no race. It knows no gender. It knows no age. It knows no creed,” the President said.
He also recognized the role played by the United Nations in its fight against the pandemic.
“As a middle-income country whose economic advances have been derailed by the pandemic, we welcome the launch of the UN Covid Response and Recovery Fund,” Duterte said.
He called for a global health agenda with enough resources and policy space for the World Health Organization (WHO).
“We need a WHO that is quick to coordinate and quicker to respond. The Philippines will do its part in the pooling of global resources. Our health workers are among the best,” Duterte said.
Meanwhile, he also extended condolences to all of the families whose loved ones died of the deadly disease.
“In the light of the realities of the present, the Philippines grieves with all of the families all over the world who lost their loved ones to this horrible virus,” Duterte said.
He noted that defeating the Covid-19 pandemic and other challenges require “seamless unity,” which also demands “complete mutual trust.”
“We cannot bring back the dead but we can spare the living; and we can build back better, healthier, and more prosperous and just societies,” he said.
Duterte was the 12th head of state to have his remarks aired at the UN General Assembly High-level Debate.
This year marks the first time that the global body's high-level general debate and other high-level meetings were done almost completely virtually due to restrictions posed by the health crisis. (PNA)
