USA Should Ensure Coronavirus Vaccine Remains Accessible – Osinbajo

Nigeria’s Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo has come out to beg the U.S. to support the call for a just global transition that will guarantee easy access to COVID-19 vaccine by all countries.

Osinbajo’s spokesman, Laolu Akande, recently revealed this via a statement on Monday in Abuja.

According to him, the U.S. should also reset its foreign policy agenda with the African continent in ways that would bring about economic prosperity, increased security and improved governance.

He added that America and Africa should work together to tackle climate change and moderate global warming, including through an energy transition from fossil fuels to renewable energies.

His words, “The U.S. and Africa should work together to tackle climate change and moderate global warming including through an energy transition from fossil fuels to renewable energies.”

”African countries have made commitments in this regard towards implementing the Paris Climate Change Agreement targets.”

“Given the long term commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050, there is a growing trend among development finance institutions to withdraw from fossil fuel investment.”

“And, the new restrictions on financing downstream gas development currently being considered by the European Union, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the United States.”

“While well-intentioned, this move does not take into account the principles of common but differentiated responsibility and leaving no one behind, that are enshrined into global treaties around sustainable development and climate action.”

“The U.S. must lend its weight to stopping this manifestly unfair trend that can undermine the sense of collective responsibility we all have towards mitigating climate change; what is required is a just transition to zero emissions.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the need to coordinate actions to prevent and tackle pandemics while also building up public health infrastructure in developed and developing countries alike.”

“This is not a time for vaccine nationalism and export bans but rather of working together towards universal vaccination against the disease.”

“The U.S. can lead in the effort to ensure that all countries and their peoples can access vaccines irrespective of the resources available to them.”