Once again, the EU27 leaders will devote part of their meeting on Thursday 16 December to the fight against SARS-CoV2. In addition to the epidemiological and vaccination situation related to the Omicron variant in the EU, they will again address the external aspects of the issue, with a view to accelerating global vaccination.
The EU, like the US and other G20 members, aims to contribute to the WHO’s goal of vaccinating 70% of the world's population by mid-2022.
In this regard, leaders are expected to reiterate the EU’s determination to play its part in “achieving global immunisation”, according to draft conclusions seen by EUROPE.
They should also reaffirm their willingness to continue exporting vaccines and to intensify their “support to countries most in need” through dose sharing, via Covax, or through Member States at bilateral level.
The European Council should also invite the Commission to increase support to Member States and third countries and to strengthen coordination with the WHO and vaccine manufacturers in order to address the delays in the actual delivery of shared vaccines (see EUROPE 12849/18).
Leaders should also welcome the agreement reached at the World Health Assembly to negotiate a WHO agreement or instrument for preparedness and response to future pandemics (see EUROPE 12844/2).
See the project: https://bit.ly/3EFP2rE (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)