Duterte to call for universal access to COVID-19 vaccines when he joins UNGA special session

December 3, 2020

President Rodrigo Duterte will pitch for the universal access to and assurance of availability of safe and effective vaccines and technologies against coronavirus disease when he delivers a statement in a special session of the United Nations General Assembly later tonight.

The Office of the President, in a statement on Thursday, said Duterte will further "amplify his call for global solidarity in addressing the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic."

The virtual 31st Special Session of UNGA on the COVID-19 pandemic is set on December 3-4 in New York.

"Of particular concern for President Duterte are universal access to anti-COVID-19 technologies and products and the need for global efforts to ensure availability of safe and effective vaccines to peoples of developing nations," the OP said.

Duterte participated last September at the High Level General Debate of the 75th session of UNGA and underscored that access to safe and effective vaccines "must not be denied nor withheld."

He has said that COVID-19 vaccines should be made available to all, rich or poor nations alike, as a matter of policy.

The UNGA Special Session is being held pursuant to Resolution 75/4 adopted by the General Assembly on November 5.

It aims to reaffirm the key role of the UN in maintaining global order especially in the face of an unprecedented global public health crisis. Celerina Monte/DMS