FM calls for equitable distribution of COVID vaccine in UN address

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi on Friday stressed that the Kingdom will continue to be “a trustworthy partner” in collective action to face the COVID-19 pandemic and its repercussions.

Addressing, in a recorded speech, a special session of the UN General Assembly to take stock of the damage wrought by the pandemic, Safadi stressed the importance of adopting mechanisms that guarantee a fair distribution of vaccines and drugs for the virus, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Facing challenges that stemmed from the pandemic requires investing in the strengths of each country to form regional and international networks that provide the basic needs, including food, health and education, the foreign minister noted.

Jordan hosts more than 3.6 million refugees, of which 1.3 million are "Syrians brothers", Safadi said, stressing that hosting refugees is a responsibility that the Kingdom implements with all its capabilities to guarantee decent living conditions for the refugees.

With regard to COVID-19, Safadi said that Jordan provides same treatment to refugees as it provides to its citizens, reiterating that refugee-host countries cannot single-handedly care for refugees. It is a collective responsibility.

Safadi expressed appreciation of the international community's support to help Jordan meet refugees' needs, highlighting the importance of sustaining necessary and adequate support to refugees and host communities in a bid o maintain resources for their vital needs.

Safadi called on the international community to respond to the appeal of UNRWA and the High Commissioner for Refugees, and to provide the needed financing that the two organisations need to continue providing their vital services, especially in light of the pandemic.

"Our challenges are one and our capabilities to confront them are only maximised through increasing our cooperation via tangible steps and programmes," the deputy premier said, adding that multilateral action is the only means to face the pandemic and to protect "our peoples" and its repercussions.