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Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi, and the Minister of Public Enterprises, Erick Thohir, have completed a series of meetings with various parties in Switzerland, on Friday (10/16/2020).
In a press conference that took place on Friday evening (10/16/2020), Retno explained that the meeting in a multilateral context was held in Geneva, with the CEO of Gavi COVAC Facilities, Seth Berkley, WHO Director-General Thedros Ghebreyesus and UNICEF.
“The objectives of the various meetings include continuing to consult and communicate intensively with these various organizations in managing Covid-19 and other strategic cooperation, conveying Indonesia’s support for multilateralism, and conveying Indonesia’s desire to be a part of COVAX AMC,” Retno said.
Retno revealed that during the meeting it was also discussed that vaccine development is a complicated process. There are risks and uncertainties in the development process.
World experts, according to Retno, will continue to strive to obtain vaccines in a timely, safe and effective manner. Adaptations and adjustments are necessary in the midst of this difficult situation.
In these meetings, he said that Indonesia conveyed the efforts it had made to secure the commitment to supply vaccines through both bilateral and multilateral channels and always emphasized the importance of the safety and efficacy of these vaccines.
At the meeting with GAVI, we conveyed that the President of Indonesia received a letter from GAVI on September 18, 2020. The letter from GAVI basically states that Indonesia deserves to receive Official Development Assistance (ODA) in COVAX’s Advanced Market Engagement (COVAX AMC) for the supply of the Covid vaccine. -19 in a multilateral framework, ”said Retno.
“In his letter, Gavi also hopes to cooperate with Indonesia in handling Covid-19. As a follow-up to GAVI’s letter, at this meeting Indonesia officially submitted a letter containing an Expression of Interest from Indonesia to join COVAX AMC,” continuous.
According to him, the details of the multilateral provision of vaccines should be discussed together. Indonesia, Retno said, will continue to monitor the development of the multilateral vaccine.
On that occasion, the former Indonesian ambassador to the Netherlands said that he had delivered a letter of expression of interest when meeting with the Director-General of WHO. At the meeting, Indonesia re-emphasized its support for multilateralism, including that related to the problem of vaccines.
“We also exchanged views on the current situation of the global pandemic, including the new challenges facing the countries of the world. The Indonesian delegation provided updates on the management of Covid-19 in Indonesia. And we also explained Indonesia’s efforts to obtain vaccines. in collaboration with several countries, “said Retno.
“In addition, we also provided updates on the efforts of Indonesian experts to develop our national vaccine, the Red and White Vaccine. We also explained the vaccination plan and agreed with WHO to continue coordinating and communicating, both in the preparation and in the implementation of vaccination, “he continued.
Indonesia and the WHO, according to Retno, also agreed to continue improving communication and collaboration in pandemic management and other strategic cooperation in the health sector.
Retno also said that BUMN Deputy Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin had met with UNICEF representatives to discuss the procurement of COVAX vaccine distribution. Crucial aspects to ensure the smooth functioning of vaccines in Indonesia were also discussed, namely distribution infrastructure, cold chain and strong technical capacity of health workers to ensure a smooth vaccination process in Indonesia.
“The BUMN Deputy Deputy Minister’s meeting was a follow-up to the signing of the MoU with UNICEF in Jakarta on September 15,” Retno said.
Closing his presentation, Retno said that his trip with Erick to England and Switzerland was an effort to secure vaccine commitments through both bilateral and multilateral channels.
The topics discussed were not only safeguarding commitments, but also establishing longer strategic alliances, including with global organizations such as WHO, GAVI, CEPI, UNICEF.
This, according to Retno, is possible because Indonesia, among others, through Bio Farma, has the capacity to do so.
“Third, we also collaborate as well. It also shows Indonesia’s commitment and leadership to support multilateralism, support access to vaccines for all, vaccine for all. We will continue to coordinate and communicate with them. Once again, cooperation it’s key, “he said. Retno.
Meanwhile, Erick emphasized transparency as the keyword on this state visit.
“How do we try to ensure that vaccines will continue to occur in Indonesia? And also in a transparent way,” said the Foreign Minister globally, in the sense of meeting with WHO, GAVI and others in a transparent way, “said Erick .
“And this is important for us, before, to be part of the world. And of course we also make sure that we also want security for the Indonesian people,” he continued.
Finally, Erick said that PT Bio Farma (Persero) Tbk has become a global company because CEPI has recognized its quality. This is because Bio Farma distributes many vaccines in the world.
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