VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Vaccines are global public goods, so worldwide accessibility to them was paramount, according to President Joko Widodo (Jokowi).

"Vaccines, as global public goods, are not just a slogan. Indonesia has encouraged to accelerate the implementation of equal access to vaccines for all countries," Jokowi stated at the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) virtual forum, on Wednesday.

Jokowi noted that the distribution of vaccines in various doses was one of the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) facilities.

"The other facilities were to fulfill multilateral vaccine funding needs, increase global vaccine production through TRIPS (Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights) weaver, and strengthen the global vaccine supply chain," the president stated.

The head of state remarked that the global vaccine supply chain could be strengthened by eliminating export barriers, cutting the limitation to vaccine raw materials, and increasing the volume of vaccine production diversification, including in developing countries.

According to Jokowi’s statement, all countries must unify efforts to help one another recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. At the forum, the president drew attention to several points to help address health and economic problems being experienced worldwide.

"Vaccine is our hope to recover from this global health crisis. Fair and equal access to vaccines must be guaranteed since we see there is still a wide gap in vaccine access throughout the country," he stated while explaining the first point.

Moreover, Jokowi highlighted the need to step up attention and assistance to vulnerable groups due to decreased economic activity. Vulnerable groups refer to elderly people, people with disabilities, and the poor.

"It is important for us to ensure the well-being of those affected by this pandemic, especially vulnerable groups of people," he stated.

The Indonesian government had allocated US$28.5 billion for social assistance to vulnerable groups, and no less than 9.8 million micro businesses have received business sustainability assistance.

Under the third point, Jokowi called for the global economy to recover together. Some countries clocked positive economic growth. It would be better if it occurred simultaneously with other nations while still not compromising on the health aspect.

"We also encourage investment in a resilient and green recovery," Jokowi stated with reference to the following point. In order to achieve the target, first-world nations should support a resilient and green recovery of developing countries. This supported the last point that Jokowi presented.

"Lastly, no one should be left behind. We had to work hand in hand and avoid the 'me first policy'. Let us build trust and solidarity to achieve common goals for this world," the president stated.

Until today, 255 million people have lost their jobs, 110 million have been pushed back to poverty, and 83-132 million were at risk of starvation and malnutrition.

"In this distressing situation, it is hard to run the business as usual. Collaboration and solidarity must be implemented, and innovation must be increased. No country can progress until all countries progress," Jokowi said in his closing speech. (Antaranews)