Foreign Minister Retno: Leaders Of G20 Countries Agree To Implement Global COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Minister of Foreign Affairs (Menlu) Retno Marsudi said the leaders of the G20 countries agreed to achieve the global vaccination strategy set by the World Health Organization (WHO).

"The leaders also expressed their view of the need to vaccinate 40 percent by the end of 2021, 70 percent in mid-2022. This is actually a global strategy given by WHO which is supported by leaders from the G20," said Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi in a statement at the Splendide Royal Hotel, Rome, Italy, Saturday, October 30, after accompanying President Joko Widodo at the G20 Summit in La Nuvola.

According to the Foreign Minister, as reported by Antara, in the G20 meeting, the leaders of countries discussed joint efforts to get out of the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, both the health crisis and the economic crisis.

Another thing that was mentioned was the close cooperation between the minister of finance and the minister of health, including with international organizations, such as the WHO, the World Bank, the IMF, and other organizations, as well as the availability of funds to deal with the pandemic.

Meanwhile, President Joko Widodo in his statement emphasized the importance of strengthening an inclusive global health architecture that adheres to the principles of solidarity, justice, transparency, and equality.

Retno said the President proposed several steps, including: first, creating a mechanism to raise global health resources; second, compiling a global health protocol for cross-border activities; third, optimizing the role of the G20 in efforts to address the scarcity and gaps of vaccines, medicines, and essential medical devices.

Regarding strengthening global health resilience, President Jokowi also emphasized the importance of accelerating a stronger, more inclusive, and sustainable global economic recovery.

At this time, according to President Jokowi, as stated by Retno Marsudi, a shared view is formed among the leaders that this situation is not over and the world economy has not yet revived.