Bangladesh has announced a contribution of 50,000 US dollars to the 'Global Citizen' fund for supporting the development and deployment of Covid-19 vaccines in an equitable manner, as well as rebuild communities impacted by the pandemic in a fair and just way.
Foreign Minister Dr A K Abdul Momen revealed the information on Saturday while addressing the 'Global Goal: Unite for Our Future' in a video message.
"We're pleased to announce a contribution of US$ 50,000 to share our solidarity with this initiative of supporting the development and availability of safe and effective vaccines," he said.
Dr Momen said this announcement is more importantly for equitable access to healthcare and to combat the proportionate impacts of Covid-19 on the marginalized communities.
The programme was organised by the European Commission and Global Citizen to create additional funding to develop and deploy coronavirus vaccines, tests and treatments.
Momen said Bangladesh has always emphasized on the importance of the principles of equity, fairness and national ownership.
He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina remains focused on the front of the unprecedented crisis.
"We shall continue to remain true to our international obligations while anticipating responsible conducts from our relevant partners in mitigating these shocks," he added.
"This commitment guides our support for this resource mobilization effort towards promoting equitable access to services for those most in need anywhere in the world so no one is left behind," he said.
Saying that super-cyclone AMPHAN due to global warming created an additional burden for Bangladesh in the backdrop of the pandemic, he urged the global leadership to take adequate measures to evade impending climate change disaster.
The foreign minister also said more than a million of forcibly displaced Rohingya that Bangladesh is hosting in its territory “has certainly added to our difficulty”.
Appreciating the role of Global Citizen’s and European Commission over creating the fund, Momen said the initiative, in line with the spirit of "cooperation and partnership, not isolation" that Bangladesh has been advocating in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
European Commission president Ursula Gertrud von der Leyen hosted the 'Global Goal: Unite for Our Future – the Summit' that included interventions by world leaders as well as international advocates, artists and activists.
The 'Global Goal: Unite For Our Future' campaign was launched by the European Commission and the international advocacy organisation Global Citizen on May 28 and so far mobilised $6.9 billion – $1.5 Billion in cash grants and $5.4 billion in loans and guarantees – to combat the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on vulnerable and disadvantaged communities.
Global Citizen is a social action platform for a global generation that aims to solve the world’s biggest challenges.
The activists of the platform believe that they can end extreme poverty because of the collective actions of Global Citizens across the world.
(Source: BSS, UNB)
