Madrid - Spain reiterated on Tuesday its commitment to the distribution of vaccines to bring immunization to all countries in the world.
This position of the Spanish government was expressed in Madrid by the minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Albares, at the opening of the Conference on the Global Impact of Vaccination.
At the opening of the Conference, in which the Angolan President, João Lourenço, is expected to participate, Albares said the event is a new opportunity for Spain to demonstrate its commitment to Gavi (Alliance for Vaccines).
José Albares explained that his country has made available 230 million euros for the next three years to support immunization in low-income countries.
In these countries, Albares said, two thirds of the people living in poverty .The idea is to contribute to the prevention and eradication of pandemics in these states.
Albares added that the Spanish government has made a commitment to COVAX in recent years that has resulted in the provision of 70 million euros converted into vaccine doses.
The Spaniard official underlined the fact that Spain is a major player in global health and one of Gavi's main partners.
"We contribute funding and are committed to donating more than 300 million euros," José Albares said, stressing that global health is a priority to achieve human development.
The Conference on the Global Impact of Vaccination is reviewing the advances of the Alliance to ensure that the population of 57 low-income countries has access to vaccines.
The Conference held every five years is organised this year for the first time by the Spanish Government and GAVI and runs until June 15.
This new edition brings together 17 ministers of health and senior officials from GAVI's partner countries.
In total, some 300 participants are attending the conference, representing Government, civil society, private sector, partners of the Alliance for Vaccines, and other stakeholders in global health. WFP/AL/Amp/jmc
