Seychelles backs call for fair access to Covid-19 vaccines |14 May 2021

“The UN Political Declaration on Equitable Global Access to Covid-19 vaccines is an important declaration for Seychelles to support as we stand firmly for equitable access to the vaccines in order to fight this devastating pandemic.”

This was said by the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Seychelles to the United Nations when referring to the UN Political Declaration on Equitable Global Access to Covid-19 vaccines, which was coordinated by the representatives of Brazil, Egypt, Fiji, India, Kenya, Lebanon, Mexico, Norway, Pakistan, Qatar, the Republic of Korea, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the European Union to the UN.

The Declaration was officially launched on March 26, 2021 and Seychelles became signatory on May 7, 2021.

A statement from the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Seychelles to the UN reads:

“This is an important Declaration for Seychelles to support as we stand firmly for equitable access to the vaccines in order to fight this devastating pandemic. Seychelles has been fortunate to receive Covid-19 vaccine doses from close bilateral friends. However, we are cognizant of the severe inequalities and unfair distribution of vaccines worldwide and are especially concerned for the low-and-middle income countries that have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic and the multifaceted ripple effects.

“The government of the Republic of Seychelles fervently believes in the principals of this Declaration of working together in solidarity for the common good and remaining committed to multilateralism. The core solution to the global crisis being to ensure everyone has equitable and affordable access to the lifesaving vaccines. Indeed, as the Declaration states, ‘no one can be safe, until everyone is safe’.

“We join the call for increased access to concessional funding for improved national health infrastructures and facilitation of vaccination processes; the secretary-general’s call for a global ceasefire; the maintenance of routine immunization programmes; and vaccine sensitization and transparency to address misinformation.

“The government of the Republic of Seychelles stands in global solidarity with the coordinators of this Declaration, and the 181 other UN Member State signatories, as we reaffirm our pledge to continue upholding our commitments in the fight for equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines for all.”