At a significant gathering hosted by Gavi, France, and the African Union, global leaders emphasized the critical role of vaccines in protecting health and saving lives. 

President Akufo-Addo of Ghana, President Masisi of Botswana, and other high-profile leaders including José Manuel Barroso, and Sania Nishtar, participated in the event, showcasing their commitment to Gavi's mission.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted and exacerbated existing health inequities, particularly in access to vaccines and medical countermeasures. With support from President Macron, Gavi, WHO, and other partners, the COVAX initiative was established to ensure equitable vaccine distribution. As a result, nearly 2 billion doses were distributed to 146 countries, saving an estimated 2.7 million lives. However, delays in reaching lower-income countries revealed the urgent need for faster and more equitable vaccine distribution in future pandemics.

WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus underscored the necessity of equitable access to vaccines and other medical tools, which is central to the ongoing negotiations for a new international agreement on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response. 

He highlighted WHO’s historical commitment to expanding vaccine access through initiatives like the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), which increased the global immunization rate from less than 5% in 1974 to 83% today.

Dr. Tedros praised Gavi’s partnership model, which includes UNICEF, the World Bank, WHO, civil society, and industry, and called the Gavi 6.0 strategy the most ambitious yet, aiming to protect more people against more diseases faster than ever before. He also welcomed the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator, which aims to produce 60% of Africa’s vaccines by 2040, supported by initiatives like the mRNA Technology Transfer Hub in South Africa and the Biomanufacturing Training Hub in the Republic of Korea.

The WHO is committed to supporting Africa's vaccine production goals through several measures, including prequalification processes, regulatory system strengthening, and support for institutions like the African Medicines Agency and the Africa CDC.

Dr. Tedros called for full funding of Gavi’s $9 billion Investment Opportunity, emphasizing that continued support will save countless lives. He urged donors to fully commit to this goal, highlighting the life-saving impact of Gavi’s work.

The World Health Assembly recently adopted a shared global health strategy for the next four years, focusing on collaborative efforts to support countries in achieving their health priorities. Dr. Tedros concluded by expressing gratitude to all who have supported Gavi and urged for continued generosity to ensure a healthier future for all.