The HOPE Consortium’s World Immunisation & Logistics Summit was opened today by H.H. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation with a call to enhance collaboration in the world’s approach to tackle COVID-19 and ensure a healthier future for all.
The two-day virtual Summit, hosted in by Abu Dhabi, kicked off today under the patronage of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, with the participation of acclaimed global healthcare and philanthropic leaders, decision makers, experts and senior government officials, to explore a unified global approach to fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his inaugural address, Sheikh Abdullah said: “Our destiny as nations is linked, as global health security depends on the well-being of all societies.”
Describing the Hope Consortium as a historic announcement that has added to the UAE’s efforts to combat the pandemic globally, Sheikh Abdullah said that the UAE, being a leading global logistics hub, has played a major role in supplying many countries with the resources they need to overcome the pandemic.
“We are moving quickly, utilising our infrastructure and logistics capabilities and the geographic proximity with Africa, Asia and Europe, to offer medical and food aid to many countries. Our HOPE Consortium has gathered its expertise to secure more vaccines for the world. The faster we can vaccinate populations, while ensuring equitable and fair access to vaccines in a cost effective manner, the faster we can overcome the virus and begin to recover globally. The UAE will continue to work with partners and play a leading role to accelerate the pace of recovery from this crisis.”
Speaking about the importance of the Summit, Dr. Tedros said: “Vaccines are giving us hope of bringing the pandemic under control. But we can only do that if we use vaccines strategically to suppress transmission everywhere at the same time.
“The gap between the number of vaccines administered in rich countries, and the number of vaccines administered through Covid-19 Vaccines Global Access (Covax) is growing every single day. WHO applauds the efforts of the Hope Consortium initiative led by the Government of the UAE. We look forward to working with you to frame a partnership in support of the Covax facility.”
