PUTRAJAYA AUG.5: – Recent studies have shown that wealthy countries are hoarding global vaccine supplies, some even stockpiling enough to inoculate their populations fully more than once.
Senior Minister of Foreign Affairs, Datuk Sri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said, the situation is unacceptable because some nations do not even have enough to complete first doses.
“I cannot stress this enough-the vaccine must promote international collaboration rather than nationalistic competition,” Hishammuddin said.
Hishammuddin stressed that in the first meeting of the International Forum on COVID-19 Vaccine Cooperation held virtually here today.
The meeting was convened by Wang Yi, State Councillor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China.
Hishammuddin added, the biggest obstacle to end the pandemic is vaccine inequality and misinformation.
“Today I would like to put forth three key points for us to move forward, firstly increase the global vaccine production by waiving intellectual property rights on COVID-19 vaccines. The principle underpinning this is that every country should have the right to make its own vaccines during a pandemic.
“Secondly, harmonise vaccine certificates especially vaccines recognised under the World Health Organisation (WHO), to facilitate approvals for use by regulatory agencies.
This will assist in facilitating travel, tourism and economic recovery in the near future, without having to deal with restrictions of specific vaccine recognitions.
“Thirdly, dispel the info-demic and vaccine hesitancy arising from an overabundance of information and the rapid spread of misleading or fabricated news,” Hishammuddin said.
Hishammuddin also highlighted that the virus does not see colour or creed, and no one is safe until everyone is safe. This must be the guiding principle to move ahead.
“As nations, we have faced multiple crises before – we have looked out for each other and pulled together as one. There must be nothing to stop us from doing that again.
“This is why today’s forum is timely and a step in the right direction. Genuine international cooperation is our best bet and Malaysia fully supports the Joint Declaration of this forum.
There is wisdom in the saying “If you want to go quickly go alone. But if you want to go far, go together,” and I truly believe that solidarity and cooperation will be our most powerful weapon in defeating this virus,” Hishammuddin said. – Malaysia World News
