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| President Yoon Suk-yeol speaks during a pre-recorded speech to the second virtual Global COVID-19 Summit, Thursday, making his debut on the international diplomatic stage as the president. Captured from White House live stream |
By Nam Hyun-woo
President Yoon Suk-yeol made his debut on the international diplomatic stage, Thursday, promising a $300 million contribution to an international initiative on COVID-19 response.
During his speech at the second virtual Global COVID-19 Summit, Yoon stressed Korea's role and responsibility in the world's battle against the pandemic.
"Korea has been making contributions to the international society's efforts to end COVID-19 and build a sustainable global response system for healthcare," Yoon said. "We will continue making contributions to the global efforts to see the end of the pandemic, and will play our role and fulfill our responsibility."
To this end, Yoon promised that Korea will make a $300 million contribution to the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT-A).
Launched in April 2020, ACT-A is a program on accelerating development, production and equitable access to COVID-19 tests, treatments and vaccines. It is a collaboration of global health organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), Gavi the Vaccine Alliance, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and a slew of others.
So far, Korea has made contributions worth $210 million to the COVID-19 Vaccines Advance Market Commitment, a pillar of the ACT-A program.
Yoon also noted Korea's plan to establish a global biomanufacturing training hub, saying it will play a significant role in helping developing nations to develop and manufacture their own COVID-19 vaccines.
In February, Korea, the WHO and the WHO Academy announced the establishment of the hub, saying it will serve all low- and middle-income countries wishing to produce biologicals, such as vaccines, insulin, monoclonal antibodies and cancer treatments.
Yoon added that Korea is supporting the establishment of Financial Intermediary Funds under the World Bank, which he said will help the global community to cope with new epidemics and other new healthcare crises efficiently.
"COVID-19 and other health crises that threaten all of humanity cannot be resolved by efforts of just one or a few countries," Yoon said. "If more countries unite and cooperate, we will be able to get through many crises. Korea will also play its role as a responsible member of international society, and will keep in mind that it is a way toward the prosperity of humanity."
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