Political commitments were made in order to accelerate the production and deployment of an accessible vaccine for all around the world on Thursday 11 September at the first meeting of the High Level Facilitation Board, which is steering the work of the accelerator for the global ACT-A action that was launched on 24 April by a public/private partnership (see EUROPE 12474/7).
The issue of financing was at the heart of this first meeting co-chaired by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the Director-General of WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
According to him, “the ACT Accelerator is the best way to ensure equitable access to vaccines, diagnostics and treatment, but it currently faces a funding gap of US $35 billion”. He hopes to raise the $15 billion within three months.
“The EU will use all its convening power to help keep the world united against Coronavirus. With the chairmanship of Norway and South Africa representing North and South, and the expertise of the WHO and our international partners, no country or region will be left behind in this struggle”, the Commission Chair gave assurances.
The political declaration adopted by the Facilitation Council underlines that global collaboration is essential in defeating the virus and stresses the importance of testing, treatment, vaccination and improved health systems to overcome the pandemic. It reports on the progress that has been made and calls for additional resources.
Final comments on the investment case and the ACT-A plan will be published on 17 September, prior to the ACT-A High Level Event at the UN General Assembly on 30 September. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)