LOC22:47
19:47 GMT
LONDON, June 4 (KUNA) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the Global Vaccine Summit, which he chaired on Thursday, succeeded in pledging around USD 8.8 billion to vaccinate 300 million children in the world's poorest nations before end of 2025.
This pledge will protect lives of millions of children around the world and will help protect health systems in least developed countries, Johnson said in remarks at end of the virtual summit which brought together 50 heads of state and government or their representatives, and international organizations.
He said the world's support of the Global Vaccine Alliance (GAVI) showed how the globe was united in confronting common challenges, and this would certainly address diseases and pandemics including Covid-19.
The world is in need of larger international efforts to confront ramifications caused by pandemics, and this could take place through exchange of information, coordination of research and having a global warning system against pandemics.
Organizers of the Global Vaccine Summit were hoping to collect USD seven billion to support GAVI in coordination private and public sector's efforts to vaccine children in poor countries against diseases like polio and measles.
Qatar Amir Sheikh Tamim Al-Thani, who took part in the summit, pledged USD 20 million to support the international vaccination campaign.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan pledged USD 150 million. (end)
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