African leaders raised the alarm about vaccine shortages and how the COVID-19 epidemic has harmed global economic recovery as well as expanded inequality at Tuesday’s United Nations General Assembly.
The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres announced this in the annual address of the United Nations General Assembly’s meeting for leaders of its 193 member nations. African leaders, including Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, backed calls for fairness in vaccine distribution.
There are a few things that can be done to hasten vaccination in Africa that will be beneficial to everyone on the planet such as positive initiatives taken by a variety of partners and companies to establish local vaccine manufacturing capacity.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame addressed the gathering in a recorded speech. Hakainde Hichilema, Zambia’s new president, says everyone in the global democratic society has a duty and, yes, a responsibility to make democracy work for all of our people.
Things will be balanced through speeding economic development, ensuring a balanced distribution of resources among people, and ensuring that people have access to chances for a better life. This was President Hichilema’s first address to the General Assembly of the United Nations.
Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro defended his administration, dismissing criticism of its response to the virus and pointing to new data showing reduced deforestation in the Amazon. He added that his government supports vaccination but didn’t support vaccine passports or mandates and that his government has increased funding for “early treatment” medicines like the anti-malarial hydroxychloroquine, without naming the chemical.
Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte in a recorded speech backed calls for vaccine fairness and distribution. “Rich countries are waiting for triggers to develop life-saving vaccines for poor countries. Booster shots are increasingly being discussed, with developing countries considering half-doses to get by. This is unbelievable and must be condemned for what it is: selfish conduct that can’t be rationally or morally justified.“