TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio pledged Friday that his government will additionally donate $500 million to the COVAX international COVID-19 vaccine-sharing scheme.

Kishida made the pledge in a video message for the Gavi COVAX Advance Market Commitment Summit 2022, an international meeting held online to discuss ways to procure funds for the provision of COVID-19 vaccines mainly to developing nations.

The fresh contribution will add to the $1 billion Japan already pledged for the COVAX program.

Gavi, the vaccine alliance that co-hosted the day’s summit, said that at least $5.2 billion is needed to secure 600 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines and transport them.

In the video message, Kishida pointed to disparities in COVID-19 vaccinations around the world, stressing the importance of ensuring fair access to vaccines in all countries and regions for the health of all citizens.

Other participants in the summit included German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Indonesian President Joko Widodo. Germany and Indonesia chair this year’s Group of Seven and Group of 20 meetings, respectively.

JIJI Press