The nature of the pandemic actually caused this sort of (proverbial) competition
Nusa Dua, Bali (ANTARA) - The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to a situation wherein developed and developing nations engage in competitive behavior to gain access to COVID-19 vaccines, according to Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati.

"The nature of the pandemic actually caused this sort of (proverbial) competition. Hence, access to vaccines, especially for less developed countries, will become very difficult," the minister stated at the Finance and Central Bank Deputies Meeting in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Thursday.

Indrawati explained that global production of COVID-19 vaccines should be able to supply vaccines to 80 percent of the world's population, yet it turned out that the stock was not evenly distributed, especially for poor and developing countries.

COVID-19 vaccination in several developing countries is still lagging behind. It is inversely proportional to vaccinations in developed nations where the rate is pegged at above 80 percent of the population on an average.

Thus, the G20 had formed a Joint Finance Health Task Force to better prepare the world against health-related disasters, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

The G20 Joint Finance Health Task Force focuses on global preparedness to face a pandemic, creating early response strategies, and preventing deeper impacts on social and economic sustainability.

"The damage should not be too significant or large, not only for humans but also for the economy," the minister emphasized.

Indrawati believes that equal access to COVID-19 vaccines for all countries is one of the agendas in the preparation of an exit strategy or joint policies to surmount the crisis in the G20.

She highlighted that the G20 would form a synchronized exit strategy policy in order to achieve equitable recovery, including in relation to equitable access to vaccines for all countries.

"I believe that through the G20 forum, we will discuss not only communication but also the most important aspect being actions or policies that build global trust," she added.

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Translator: Astrid F H, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Sri Haryati
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