Thread by @WHO

Opening of the @ParisPeaceForum with @DrTedros 👇

https://twitter.com/ParisPeaceForum/status/1326874624081203200

"The #COVID19 pandemic is an unprecedented crisis demanding an unprecedented response. Global solidarity and global leadership are needed as never before"-@DrTedros at the @ParisPeaceForum opening

"In April, WHO and our partners launched the Access to #COVID19 Tools Accelerator in April, to accelerate the development, production and equitable allocation of new COVID-19 tools"-@DrTedros #ParisPeaceForum #ACTogether

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1253670647290445826?s=20

"We thank France, Germany, South Africa and the European Commission for their leadership in creating the political platform for the ACT-Accelerator to succeed"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #ACTogether #ParisPeaceForum

"As part of the ACT-Accelerator, 186 countries have now signed up to the COVAX facility to ensure that once we have a safe and effective #COVID19 vaccine, it is available to those most at risk in all countries"-@DrTedros #ACTogether #ParisPeaceForum

"We have2⃣urgent requests for the intl. community.

1⃣the ACT-Accelerator will be no more than a noble gesture unless it is fully funded. The current financing gap is $28.5 billion, & $4.5 billion is needed urgently to maintain momentum"-@DrTedros #ACTogether #ParisPeaceForum

"2⃣we must ensure fair allocation of #COVID19 vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics as global public goods, not private commodities that become one more reason some people are left behind"-@DrTedros #ACTogether #ParisPeaceForum

"To achieve that, we must commit to following the 5 principles of the ACT-Accelerator Charter:

Shared data and knowledge
Ensuring health system capacity
Fair and transparent pricing
Leveraging publicly funded research
Global coordination for equitable allocation"-@DrTedros

"Ending #COVID19 is a scientific and a financial challenge. But it’s also a test of character.

This is the moment for the world to say no to narrow self-interest, and yes to solidarity"-@DrTedros #ACTogether #ParisPeaceForum