Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin emphasized global collaboration is vital to strengthening health resilience, particularly to ensure equitable access to vaccines for all nations.

He delivered the statement virtually at the opening of the 26th Developing Countries Vaccine Manufacturers Network (DCVMN) Annual General Meeting (AGM), held in Bali, on Wednesday.

“We continue to strengthen collaboration with regional and global partners to expand local production and promote innovation,” Sadikin said in a statement received here on Thursday.

He emphasized ongoing collaboration with international partners, including the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), the Gates Foundation, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the ASEAN Vaccine Security and Self-Reliance initiative.

He noted that the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated how closely global health and the global economy are interconnected.

Sadikin stressed that delays in vaccine distribution during the early stages of the pandemic highlighted the need to enhance local production and international cooperation to prevent inequities in access.

Sadikin said developing countries hold both the potential and responsibility to play a key role in the future of the global vaccine industry.

“By strengthening manufacturing capacity in developing regions, producers not only move closer to their markets but also enhance supply chains and create sustainable, long-term value,” he stated.

Sadikin also commended DCVMN members for redefining global vaccine manufacturing through expanded capacity, adoption of new technologies, and stronger partnerships.

At the same forum, African Pharmaceutical Technology Foundation (APTF) CEO Professor Padmashree Gehl Sampath highlighted the financial and logistical challenges African countries still face in vaccine research, procurement, and production.

She called for innovative financing and manufacturing models to bridge the gap and build self-reliant vaccine capacity across Africa.

“I want to see new approaches to financing, vaccine procurement, and manufacturing to ensure market certainty for DCVMN members and the broader sector,” Sampath said.

She added that APTF is entering its operational phase and aims to fully participate in strengthening Africa’s vaccine ecosystem by the next DCVMN meeting.

The 26th DCVMN AGM participants underlined that strengthening global health resilience depends on broader vaccine production capacity and self-reliance, particularly among developing countries.

With the active involvement of Bio Farma (state-owned pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturer) as one of the network’s key members, Indonesia hopes DCVMN will continue to drive practical collaboration among industries and governments.

Such cooperation is essential to ensure that no country is left behind in achieving equitable global health protection.

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