TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga in a video message to the online Global Health Summit on Friday called on international society to offer support for ensuring a fair supply of vaccines against the novel coronavirus to developing countries.

Stressing the need for more funds to ensure equitable access to vaccines in developing nations, Suga said, “I call upon all of you to make a strong commitment (to donations)” at the COVAX Advance Market Commitment Summit on June 2 “so that we can demonstrate the unity of the international community and bring hope to the world.”

The COVAX AMC Summit, to be held online, will be hosted jointly by Japan and Gavi, a global vaccine alliance. COVAX, or COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access, is an international initiative aimed at ensuring equitable access to vaccines against the novel coronavirus.

The Global Health Summit, designed for discussions on measures against infectious diseases and health promotion policies, was co-hosted by the European Union and Italy, the current chair of the Group of 20 advanced and emerging economies.

Suga also said Japan will host the Tokyo Nutrition for Growth Summit in December to tackle the issues of malnutrition and overnutrition.

JIJI Press