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Japan Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide
By Anthony Maliki
Japan Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide said the Asian giant contributed an additional $800million in continuous support of COVAX Facility bringing total contribution of $1billion.
Prime Minister Yoshihide made the remarks at COVAX AMC Summit was held virtually on June 2nd 2021.
In a statement from Japan Embassy in Nigeria to Apex News Exclusive, the Summit was co-hosted by the Government of Japan and Gavi, and co-chaired by Prime Minister Yoshihide and Mr. José Manuel Barroso, Gavi Board Chair.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Yoshihide expressed Japan’s intention to provide, when circumstances allow and at an appropriate time, around 30 million doses of vaccines manufactured in Japan to other countries and regions, including through the COVAX Facility.
According to the statement, Nigeria is one of the 92 low- and middle-income economies which are eligible to participate in the COVAX Facility supported by the COVAX AMC.
It pointed out Japan will continue to support the delivery of vaccines down to the last person through its “Last One Mile Support” including improving cold chains and leveraging strengths the country has gained through its experiences in health and medical related assistance.
During the Summit, Prime Minister Yoshihide called for further solidarity and commitments from the international community in the fight against COVID-19, and expressed Japan’s full support for ensuring equitable access to safe and effective vaccines for as many people as possible with a view to achieving Universal Health Coverage guided by the principle of human security.
The statement said many additional pledges were announced from governments and the private sector during the Summit.
As a result, funds well beyond the target of $8.3billion were realized to secure 1.8 billion vaccine doses to protect nearly 30 percent of the population in AMC-eligible economies.
