Like a dutiful group work member, Singapore has earned a pat on the back for its contributions towards the global effort to ensure that all countries have equal access to COVID-19 vaccines.
Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said on Monday (1 Mar) during his Committee of Supply speech for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) that Singapore has played a “key role” in ensuring equal access to COVID-19 vaccines for the international community.
S’pore Had A “Key Role” in Ensuring Global and Equal Access to COVID-19 Vaccines
Dr Balakrishnan pointed out that Singapore had backed the Covax Facility in its early stages and that Singapore had founded and co-chaired the Friends of the Covax Facility group to support the development of the facility.
He added that Singapore contributed US$5 million (S$6.7 million) to aid low-income countries in gaining access to vaccines via Covax.
He mentioned that COVID-19 “does not discriminate across language, race, religion or borders”, hence it would be “in our collective interest to help each other”.
PM Lee Appealed for International Cooperation to Secure Vaccines for All Countries
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had only recently called for international cooperation to ensure that all countries are able to obtain access to COVID-19 vaccines during the broadcast for Global Citizen’s “Recovery Plan for the World” campaign.
He appealed for global cooperation among nations in securing vaccines for all, saying, “Even as each of us gears up to secure our own (vaccine) supplies, we must cooperate internationally so that all countries, including developing ones, have access to vaccines for their people.”
You can read more about PM Lee’s message here.
Further Fostering International Cooperation
Dr Balakrishnan emphasised the importance of tightening Singapore’s trade relations with other countries, saying that the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) greatly enhanced trade and economic integration.
He also mentioned that Singapore will continue to cooperate with the global community to implement the Paris Agreement in efforts to deal with climate change.
Meanwhile, he pointed out Singapore has also finalized Digital Economy Agreements with Australia, Chile and New Zealand to enhance the security and efficiency of international digital interactions including e-payments and data flows.
The government is also collaborating with the United Nations (UN), Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and others to strengthen cybersecurity efforts, and Singapore has been very “[proactive]” in sharing expertise and experience, for instance through the Singapore Cooperation Programme.
To find out more, click here.
Feature Image: angellodeco / Shutterstock.com
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