The COVID-19 pandemic has affected every part of the world and has shown us how interconnected we are. This is why Latvia strongly believes in the need for closer, better, and wider cooperation in ending the pandemic and building more resilient health security worldwide.
Let me today express Latvia’s first support to the shared targets of this summit to vaccinate the world, save lives now, and build back better global health security.
We believe that comprehensive vaccination at a global scale is the only way to end our common plight. To this end, Latvia has been donating vaccines to a number of countries and regions around the world. Latvia is committed to continuing these efforts.
Together with other members of the European Union we have committed to donate at least one hundred million vaccine doses. By now 250 million doses have already been mobilized.
We have learnt the important lesson that the pandemic can only be tamed through close international cooperation. Latvia is prepared to do its part to build back a safer global environment and ensure we are prepared for any future pandemics. To this aim, Latvia will also continue to support the strengthening of the COVAX mechanism and enhancing the role of the World Health Organization.
Together we must succeed!