First Lady Kim Jung-sook: "Korea Will Strive for Equitable Vaccine Distribution to Impoverished and Developing Countries"

International Vaccine Institute (IVI) Annual Forum Video Congratulatory Address
Emphasizing Vaccine Development and Equitable Distribution for Global Solidarity

First Lady Kim Jung-sook is delivering a congratulatory speech at the final event of the '2020 Sejong Institute Korean Speaking Contest,' held online on the afternoon of the 8th at the National Hangeul Museum in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.

First Lady Kim Jung-sook stated on the 13th, "The Government of the Republic of Korea is actively participating in the World Health Organization and the Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance's 'Global Vaccine Supply Mechanism' to ensure that even impoverished and developing countries suffering from the COVID-19 crisis can benefit from vaccine and treatment development," adding, "We will also cooperate with the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) in its efforts to develop and distribute vaccines to alleviate the suffering of developing countries caused by infectious diseases."

In a video congratulatory message delivered at the IVI Annual Partner Forum held at 5 p.m. that day, Mrs. Kim said, "I hope that more countries and more cooperative partners will join the efforts to bring forward the future that IVI envisions."

Having assumed the honorary chairpersonship of the IVI Korea Supporters Association in July, Mrs. Kim emphasized, "Just as the people of the Republic of Korea protect everyone's safety and freedom through consideration and concession toward their neighbors, the global community must unite in solidarity for the mutual prosperity of the international society."

Referring to President Moon Jae-in's keynote speech at the 75th United Nations General Assembly in September, which emphasized the practice of "international cooperation with enhanced inclusiveness," Mrs. Kim evaluated IVI as "an international organization that has consistently practiced international cooperation with enhanced inclusiveness for the past 23 years."

IVI is an institution established to develop and distribute vaccines to eradicate diseases among infants and young children in developing countries and is the first international organization headquartered in Korea. Due to COVID-19, the forum was held via a non-face-to-face video conference and was organized to discuss ways to strengthen solidarity and cooperation among IVI member countries and international organizations in the health and vaccine sectors.

The forum was attended by George Bickerstaffe, Chair of the IVI Board of Directors; Jerome Kim, Director General of IVI; diplomatic corps in Korea from Sweden, Mexico, and others; and representatives from international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO). Queen Silvia of Sweden, a financial donor country to IVI, also delivered a video message expressing cooperation and support for IVI, which has embraced impoverished and developing countries.

Im Se-eun, Deputy Spokesperson of the Blue House, said, "President Moon and First Lady Kim will continue to discover and actively support domestic and international activities to develop vaccines and treatments to advance 'a world where everyone is safe from infectious diseases,'" adding, "We hope that today’s video message from the First Lady will help the global community unite in solidarity for vaccine development and equitable distribution amid the COVID-19 pandemic."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.