"The president had seen the global health architecture, and he has supported to encourage the ASEAN, including Indonesia, to become a hub for the production of mRNA-based vaccines," Hartarto stated at a press conference here on Tuesday.
If Indonesia became a hub for mRNA-based vaccine production, then every country, with a population of 100 million, is targeted to have at least one vaccine production center, he affirmed.
"Moreover, of course, collaboration will be forged with the intellectual hub for the vaccine for which global collaboration is needed," Hartarto remarked.
This is in line with Indonesia's G20 Presidency that seeks to bring more concrete results, including those related to COVID-19 handling.
Indonesia's presidency in G20 is an opportunity for its leadership at the global level in responding to various existing challenges, he said.
The government's goals through the G20 Presidency focus on recovery that is inclusive, resilient, and sustainable.
The recovery includes equitable access to vaccines for all developed, developing, and poor nations in accordance with the theme of Indonesia's G20 Presidency: Recover Together, Recover Stronger.
Hartarto emphasized that problems related to vaccination must be addressed immediately since inequitable access to vaccines will give rise to new problems, such as the emergence of new variants called Omicron.
The Omicron variant originated from South Africa, with a vaccination rate of only 24 percent, while the entire African continent only had a seven-percent inoculation rate.
A lingering pandemic, coupled with the emergence of the Omicron variant, would have damaging effects on the people's lives and disrupt economic recovery, he said.
To this end, Hartarto highlighted the need for collaboration at the global level, including through the G20, to make stronger and more concrete breakthrough steps for the world, he affirmed.
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Translator: Astrid F H, Resinta S
Editor: Sri Haryati
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