Aliyev: We remain deeply concerned by “vaccine nationalism” and inequality in access to vaccines

The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for the world, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said, speaking at the Second Summit on Science and Technology of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

“In its capacity, as the chair of the Non-Aligned Movement, Azerbaijan initiated and successfully held the NAM Summit in response to coronavirus in May 2020. We also initiated the holding of the Special Session of the UN General Assembly at the level of the heads of state and government in December 2020,” the head of state says.

He added that Azerbaijan had made voluntary financial contributions to the World Health Organization in the amount of $10 million and provided humanitarian and financial assistance to more than 30 countries, including several OIC Member States with respect to coronavirus.

“We remain deeply concerned by the “vaccine nationalism” and inequality in access to vaccines between developing and developed countries. According to international reports, so far, more than 82 percent of the world’s vaccine doses have been purchased by wealthy countries, while only 0.3 percent have gone to low-income countries. We reiterate our call upon developed countries and international donor organizations with respect to providing necessary financial assistance to developing, in particular, least developed countries,” President Ilham Aliyev said.