Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid has praised the COVID-19 Global Action Plan (GAP) for its role in providing vaccines to vulnerable countries. He made the remark at the virtual COVID-19 GAP Ministerial Meeting hosted by the Secretary of State of the United States (US) Antony Blinken.
Speaking at the meeting, Minister Shahid reflected on the achievements of the GAP initiative, which was instrumental in providing vaccines to vulnerable countries and ensuring mechanisms were in place for vaccines to be administered. He highlighted the importance of preventing, detecting, and responding to future pandemics and emphasised the importance of continuing the work to support closing the booster gap, vaccinating the most vulnerable and at-risk within the population, diversifying the production of vaccines, and actively supporting new producers and platforms for vaccines, and anti-viral medicines.
Additionally, Minister Shahid briefed the partners on the measures taken by the government of the Maldives to vaccinate 85% of the resident population including locals and migrants, irrespective of their status or origin. He also thanked Secretary Blinken and the government of the US for their leadership in the GAP initiative, and other partner countries and organizations in formalising assistance mechanisms to manage the continuing impacts of the pandemic, especially for vulnerable countries.
The GAP partners re-convened at the ministerial meeting to assess the work of the GAP, identify remaining barriers to curbing the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, and reflect upon lessons learned to promote future collaboration to respond to future global health security threats.