By Zayamu Hassan
The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) said making COVID-19 vaccines available for all will be critical if the world is to defeat the pandemic.
President of the ECOSOC, Mr Munir Akram, made the assertion in an address at the closing of the organisation’s closing of its high-level segment.
The meeting was held one day after the conclusion of the annual High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) to review progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Akram urged countries to build on convergence and consensus achieved to confront major tasks ahead, starting with ensuring everyone, everywhere, is protected against the virus.
Reflecting on the past year, Mr Akram recalled how the ECOSOC responded to the crisis, and climate and development challenges, including through drawing attention to the special needs of the world’s least developed nations.
“Universal and affordable access to COVID-19 vaccines is essential to defeat the virus and to revive global trade, investment and growth. We have agreed on what needs to be done. We must now do it,” he said.
Developing countries will need $4.3 trillion to recover from the triple crises and to realize the 17 goals by 2030.
Mr Akram welcomed plans to create $650 billion in Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), a type of reserve foreign asset developed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), among other debt relief initiatives.
On climate change, he highlighted the critical need for developed countries to fulfill their commitment to provide $100 billion annually in climate finance.
While calling for action plans for job creation in sectors such as construction, renewable energy, transport and housing, he said: “Scaled-up investment in sustainable infrastructure, an estimated requirement of $1 trillion per year, is essential also for the transition to a dynamic ‘green’ global economy.”
The ECOSOC president urged the international community to combat rising poverty and hunger through measures that include social protection and relief programmes.
