Government Announces at G7 Meeting to Increase COVAX Contribution 20-Fold and Proposes Infectious Disease Cooperation Measures

President Moon Jae-in Meets with Pascal Soriot, CEO of AstraZeneca

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] The government has decided to significantly increase its contribution to the advance purchase of vaccines through the international project 'COVAX' at the Group of Seven (G7) summit, raising it from the previous five times to twenty times.

The G7 summit was held yesterday in Cornwall, United Kingdom. For the first time in 12 years, the President of South Korea participated in the G7 summit, presenting international infectious disease cooperation measures, including establishing South Korea as a vaccine hub based on its technological capabilities.

On the 13th, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters emphasized, "We have expressed an active contribution plan to lay the foundation for inclusive recovery of the international community and future international cooperation and expanded roles."

At a regular briefing that day, Son Young-rae, head of the Strategic Planning Division of the Central Accident Response Headquarters (CARH), stated, "As an invited country, South Korea participated and introduced our cases in the fields of health and environment, fulfilling roles corresponding to Korea's elevated status."

Son added, "At the summit, South Korea proposed international infectious disease cooperation measures, including establishing the country as a vaccine hub based on its technological capabilities. We expanded our contribution to the advance purchase of COVAX vaccines and expressed an active contribution plan for the inclusive recovery of the international community."

Additionally, President Moon Jae-in visited the United Kingdom to attend the G7 summit and held a meeting with Pascal Soriot, CEO of AstraZeneca.

According to CARH, President Moon requested cooperation to ensure smooth supply from AstraZeneca in the second half of the year, and CEO Soriot responded that considering South Korea as a top-priority cooperation partner, he would make every effort.

CEO Soriot also expressed a desire to maintain a long-term production partnership with SK Bioscience, a domestic company entrusted with the contract manufacturing of AstraZeneca vaccines.

Son stated, "The government will do its best to achieve stable supply of domestic vaccines and domestic vaccine development through cooperation with the international community, and as a member of the international community, contribute to overcoming COVID-19 worldwide through vaccine production."

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