UN General Assembly
2021

I wish to thank partner countries and institutions for their support in our fight against the pandemic. I applaud the spirit of solidarity and the generous surge of support provided through the Coronavirus Disease Vaccine Global Access (COVAX) Facility initiative. Those significant efforts notwithstanding, there is a growing divide between vaccinated countries in the north and non-vaccinated countries in the South, which will only set back efforts to eradicate the pandemic and achieve a return to normal life for all. An each man for himself mentality will not end the pandemic. Nobody will be safe if the virus and its variants continue to circulate anywhere in the world. Only a global response facilitating access for all to vaccines can put an end to this global scourge. In that spirit, I wish to thank partner countries and institutions that have been supporting the vaccine production project of the Pasteur Institute in Dakar, a major initiative servicing Africa. Senegal will contribute to the financing of the project via part of our special drawing rights.