President Jokowi Calls for Equal Access to COVID-19 Vaccine at 75th UNGA
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo shared several thoughts at the General Debate of the 75th Session United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) virtually from the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday (23/9).
According to the President, the United Nations (UN) must always improve itself, carry out reforms, revitalization and efficiency. The UN must be able to prove that multilateralism delivers, even during the time of crisis.
“The UN must be more responsive and effective in solving various global challenges. And, we all bear a responsibility to continue to strengthen the UN, so that the UN remains relevant and increasingly contributive, in line with the challenges of the times,” President Jokowi said.
The UN, President Jokowi stated, is not just a building in New York City but an aspiration and joint commitment of all nations to achieve world peace and prosperity for the next generation. Indonesia has an unshakable faith in the UN and multilateralism. “Multilateralism is the only way we can provide equality,” he said.
The President also stated that collective global leadership must be strengthened. “We understand that in relations between countries, in international relations, every country always fights for its national interests,” he said.
However, the President said, all countries have a responsibility to contribute, to be part of the solution for world peace, stability. and prosperity.
“This is where the UN’s role is demanded to strengthen the collective global leadership. The world needs a stronger spirit of collaboration and global leadership to create a better world,” he said.
The President also conveyed that the countries must strengthen cooperation in COVID-19 handling, both in terms of health and its socio-economic impact.
“Vaccines will be a game changer in the fight against the pandemic. We must work together to ensure that all countries have equal access to vaccines that are safe and at affordable prices,” President Jokowi said.
For the long term, the President said that governance of world health resilience must be strengthened. He added that world health resilience based on national health resilience will determine the future of the world.
“From an economic standpoint, the gradual reactivation of economic activities must be started by making corrections to the current weaknesses in the global supply chain,” the President said.
Economic activation, according to the President, must prioritize the health of the world’s citizens because a healthy, productive world must be a priority.
“All of this can be achieved if all of us can work, work, and work. Let us strengthen our commitment and consistently carry out our commitment to always cooperate,” he concluded. (UN/EN)
Translated by: Fairuzzamani Inayatillah
Reviewed by: Yuyu Mulyani