Bangladesh has pledged $50,000 for supporting the development and deployment of COVID-19 vaccines in an “equitable manner as well as rebuild communities impacted by the pandemic in a fair and just way”.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen made the announcement at the ‘Pledging Summit’ of the Global Citizen jointly organised with European Commission on Saturday to manage additional funding required for the vaccine development and deployment.
His video message was uploaded on Sunday.
“I am pleased to announce a contribution of $50,000 for supporting development and availability of safe and effective vaccine, more importantly equitable access to health care and to combat that this proportionate impact of COVID-19 only marginalize communities,” he said.
He highlighted that Bangladesh has always attached importance to the “principles of equity, fairness and national ownership”.
“This commitment guides our support for this resource mobilization effort towards promoting equitable access to services for those most in need anywhere in the world so no one is left behind,” he said.
“We shall continue to remain true to our International obligations while anticipating responsible conduct from our relevant partners in mitigating this accidental shock”.
He highlighted the impacts of the super-cyclone Amphan due to global warming and said that created an additional burden for Bangladesh in the backdrop of the pandemic.
He urged the global leadership to take adequate measures to evade impending climate change disaster.
The foreign minister said the Rohingya population of Myanmar also created additional burden to Bangladesh.
He appreciated the Global Citizen and European Commission for creating the fund.
European Commission president Ursula Gertrud von der Leyen hosted the ‘Global Goal: Unite for Our Future – the Summit’ that included interventions by world leaders as well as international advocates, artists and activists.
The ‘Global Goal: Unite For Our Future’ campaign was launched by the European Commission and the international advocacy organisation Global Citizen on May 28.
So far they have mobilised $6.9 billion – $1.5 billion in cash grants and $5.4 billion in loans and guarantees – to combat the disproportionate impact of covid-19 on vulnerable and disadvantaged communities.