Thread by @WHO

LIVE from @ParisPeaceForum on ACT-Accelerator with @DrTedros.

#ACTogether to beat #COVID19

https://twitter.com/ParisPeaceForum/status/1326926186627424259

"When the history of the #COVID19 pandemic is written, I believe that the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator will be recorded as one of its standout successes"-@DrTedros #ACTogether #ParisPeaceForum

"Since the earliest days of the #COVID19 pandemic, WHO has supported countries with evidence-based tools to stop transmission and save lives"-@DrTedros #ParisPeaceForum

"But we also realised that we would need new tools to truly bring the #COVID19 pandemic under control, and that those tools must be accessible to all countries equitably"-@DrTedros #ACTogether #ParisPeaceForum

"That’s why WHO proposed the Access to #COVID19 Tools Accelerator, a unique mechanism with two aims:
1⃣to develop vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics fast
2⃣to allocate them fairly"-@DrTedros #ACTogether #ParisPeaceForum

"The world has come together as never before to ensure vaccines, diagnostics & therapeutics are developed, produced & allocated fairly as global public goods, not private commodities. This is a powerful statement of international solidarity"-@DrTedros #ACTogether #ParisPeaceForum

"As global public goods, #COVID19 vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics must be available on the basis of equitable and affordable access for all, especially for #healthworkers, the elderly and other at-risk groups"-@DrTedros #ACTogether #ParisPeaceForum

"This is not just a moral imperative and a public health imperative, it’s also an economic imperative"-@DrTedros #ACTogether #ParisPeaceForum

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1326929820253626369?s=20

"In our interconnected world, if people in low- and middle-income countries miss out on vaccines, the #COVID19 virus will continue to spread and the economic recovery globally will be delayed"-@DrTedros #ACTogether #ParisPeaceForum

"Making #COVID19 vaccines work requires a broad collaboration, not just across sectors, but across partners. No country can address these challenges alone"-@DrTedros #ACTogether #ParisPeaceForum

"Efforts like the ACT-Accelerator and C-TAP show that when countries and partners work together and engage through multilateral platforms, they are stronger"-@DrTedros #ACTogether #ParisPeaceForum

"The vaccines pillar of the ACT-Accelerator, COVAX, is a perfect example, bringing together @gavi, @CEPIvaccines, the @GlobalFund and WHO to support the development of the world’s largest portfolio of vaccine candidates"-@DrTedros #ACTogether

"Already, 186 countries and economies will benefit from the COVAX facility, including 92 lower-income countries and economies who are eligible for assistance through advanced market commitments"-@DrTedros #ACTogether #ParisPeaceForum

"Some countries are buying more vaccines in advance in quantities more than double their population size, putting at risk the access and affordability of #COVID19 vaccines for other countries"-@DrTedros #ACTogether #ParisPeaceForum

"To fully realise the potential of the ACT-Accelerator, it must be fully funded. The financing gap currently stands at $28.5 billion, with $4.5 billion needed urgently to maintain momentum"-@DrTedros #ACTogether #ParisPeaceForum

"Fully financing the ACT-Accelerator will help to control the #COVID19 pandemic, restore confidence and stimulate the global recovery"-@DrTedros #ACTogether #ParisPeaceForum

"This is a moment for saying no to nationalism and yes to our shared humanity"-@DrTedros #ACTogether #ParisPeaceForum