Hence, the Indonesian diplomacy has actively strengthened multilateralism with the ultimate goal of creating fair access for developing countries and LDCs to vaccines and drugs at affordable prices.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi has stated that Indonesia is encouraging international cooperation for developing COVID-19 vaccines and drugs that people from all countries can afford to buy.

Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that more than 120 types of COVID-19 vaccines are being developed worldwide, and six of them are undergoing clinical testing.

However, the international patent regime has frequently contradicted the needs of mankind all over the world, particularly in developing countries and least-developed countries (LDCs), the minister remarked.

"Hence, the Indonesian diplomacy has actively strengthened multilateralism with the ultimate goal of creating fair access for developing countries and LDCs to vaccines and drugs at affordable prices," Marsudi said during a virtual press conference on Wednesday in Jakarta.

To address that challenge, Indonesia will always encourage the use of all flexibilities in the international vaccine regime stipulated by the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and explore other innovative steps, she added.

Retno has reiterated the importance of global access to COVID-19 vaccines and drugs at various international meetings, including the Ministerial Coordination Group on COVID-19 (MCGC), which saw participation from 11 countries, including Canada, Germany, France, the UK, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, South Africa, Brazil, Turkey and Peru.

"At the MCGC meeting overnight, I reiterated that multilateralism must not be translated into statements, but needs follow-up action and concrete cooperation," she said.

"Multilateralism will earn global trust only if its benefits can be felt by people all over the world," she remarked.

Tabled Indonesia’s non-paper on “Recommendation to Develop a List of Potential Companies to Participate in the Supplies of Medical Goods for Covid-19” at the Ministerial Coordination Group for Covid-19 teleconference held this evening (28/04) pic.twitter.com/pUoQAoF9Nr

— Menteri Luar Negeri Republik Indonesia (@Menlu_RI) April 28, 2020

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Translator: Yashinta Difa Pramudyani/Suhar
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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