A victory over the COVID-19 pandemic and restoration of normalcy will among other things require international solidarity and collaboration to ensure that all regions across the world are safe, President Paul Kagame has said. Kagame made the remarks on Friday at the virtual launch of a global collaboration to accelerate the development, production and equitable access to new COVID-19 diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines. The initiative is dubbed Access to COVID-19 Tools accelerator. The launch was co-hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as well as Bill and Melinda Gates. Making his submission at the launch, Kagame said that the pandemic is a reminder of the need for global equity in health as no country or region is safe until all are. “The COVID19 pandemic reminds us that global equity in health is absolutely critical. No one is safe unless we are all safe. Essential health technologies must be available. We must deploy wherever needed,” he said. Kagame called for international solidarity in the development of tests, vaccines and treatments. “We must deploy everything we know about international solidarity to fight COVID-19 together, this is why the new global collaboration for the New COVID-19 Tools is so important,” he said. “This coalition brings together 8 of the world’s leading health and development organizations and philanthropies. By joining forces to accelerate the development of tests, vaccines and treatments we can end the pandemic sooner. The commitment to ensure equal access is the key,” he added. Kagame who is also the African Union Leader for Domestic Health Financing said that in the upcoming pledge event, it would be important to have accountability to citizens and to each other. “As the African Union Leader for Domestic Health Financing I wish to emphasize the importance of the upcoming pledging event we have to be accountable to the citizens we serve and to each other. The global community can count on Rwanda’s support,” he said. Participants of the launch included Heads of State and Government of South Africa, Germany, Costa Rica, Malaysia, Norway, Spain as well as UNSG and AUC Chair.
