The Island nation of Seychelles has joined 181 other UN Member State to sign a United Nations declaration in support of equitable global access to COVID-19 vaccines, according to the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The country became a signatory to the declaration on May 7, and a statement from the Ministry revealed that the Foreign Affairs Ministry the declaration is important to the nation as it appended its signature to lend credence to the fight against the pandemic.
“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 statement read.
By signing the declaration, Seychelles joins an array of member states which also includes the European Union. Highlighting the need for cooperation, the Ministry explained that the government hopes to use this medium to exercise the spirit of working together in solidarity for the common good and remaining committed to multilateralism.
“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 immunisation programmes, and vaccine sensitisation and transparency to address misinformation,” the Ministry said.
