This archive report was first published on 21 April 2020.
On April 20, 2020, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution by consensus, calling for 'equitable, efficient and timely' access to any future vaccines developed to fight the coronavirus.
The resolution, drafted by Mexico and supported by the United States, emphasizes the importance of strengthening scientific international cooperation to combat COVID-19 and bolster coordination, including with the private sector.
As research laboratories and pharmaceutical manufacturers launch expensive efforts to develop vaccines and other therapeutics, the resolution calls for cooperation to ensure fair, transparent, and equitable access to and distribution of preventive tools, laboratory testing, and essential medical supplies.
The resolution asks Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to identify and recommend options for rapidly scaling manufacturing and strengthening supply chains to promote and ensure fair access to treatments and vaccines, particularly in developing countries.
With over 167,000 people already killed by the pandemic, the resolution aims to make treatments and vaccines available to all those in need, particularly in developing countries.
This is the second resolution adopted by the assembly about the new coronavirus pandemic, following a previous call for international cooperation in fighting the spread of the disease.
