Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

At the invitation of US President Joe Biden, President Nguyen Xuan delivered a speech at the Global COVID-19 Summit held on the sidelines of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly on September 22 (New York time).

Vietnam is one of the few countries to be invited to speak at this important event.

In his speech, the Vietnamese State leader applauded the decision to establish a global health security financial intermediary fund initially worth US$10 billion this year to ensure resources for the battle against the COVID-19.

To cope with the pandemic, protecting people’s lives and health is the top priority so it is imperative to take drastic actions to early detect and quickly trace infection cases; promptly quarantine and provide effective treatment; improve testing capacity; ensure oxygen, ventilators and medicines; and particularly conduct large-scale vaccinations, Phuc said.

He underscored the need to ramp up global cooperation, improve the self-resilience of medical systems and develop the medical equipment production and pharmaceuticals industry, especially in developing nations.

President Phuc stressed that accelerating vaccinations coupled with the effective use of treatment drugs is key to repelling the pandemic, protecting people's lives, and promoting economic recovery and development. 

He suggested improving research and development capacity for vaccine production, while affirming Vietnam’s readiness to engaging in the efforts.

On this occasion, the President expressed his appreciation for the role of the COVAX Facility, and thanked many countries for sharing and donating vaccines to Vietnam.

He called on the COVAX Facility and other capable countries to redouble efforts to supply vaccines to developing countries so that at least 70% of their population are vaccinated as soon as possible and the target is achievable before the session of the United Nations General Assembly next year.

Phuc went to say that Vietnam is conducting a COVID-19 vaccination rollout for all people above the age of 18. Vietnam and member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have established a COVID-19 Response Fund last year and recently decided to use US$10.5 million from this fund to buy vaccines for member states.

The summit discussed and issued strong commitments by senior leaders, international organisations and the private sector about mass vaccinations across the globe, protecting people’s lives and building back global medical security better in the near future.

Participants pledged to ensure that at least 70% of the world population in all countries will be fully vaccinated before the session of the UN General Assembly in September 2022, all low or lower-middle income countries will have enough access to oxygen, personal protective suits and effective treatment methods this year and advanced treatment therapies in 2022.

They also vowed to guarantee sustainable financial sources for health security by establishing the global health security financial intermediary fund with an initial sum of US$10 billion in 2021 and consented to set up the Global Health Threats Council.

Senior leaders at the summit shared evaluations and suggestions in President Phuc's speech. US President Joe Biden and many other leaders also stressed the need for urgent commitments and strong determination from the international community to carry out mass vaccinations for all people across the globe.

Source: VOV 

UNGA 76: President Nguyen Xuan Phuc attends general debate’s opening session

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc attended the opening session of the high-level general debate of the United Nations General Assembly’s 76th session on September 21 (New York time).