By ARGYLL CYRUS B. GEDUCOS
President Duterte stressed the importance of deeper engagement with the international community, saying nobody should be left behind in the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Duterte made the statement during the 2020 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Friday.
In his remarks during the virtual summit, Duterte told his fellow leaders from 21 APEC member-economies that COVID-19 is a defining challenge as economies have to be reopened while protecting and helping people adjust to the “new normal.”
“This is a difficult balance to strike. Here lies the complexity and enormity of the recovery process,” he said.
According to the President, this can be done if countries work together to ensure the economies will recover from the pandemic.
“We aim for a comprehensive recovery with no one left behind. This can only be done through deeper engagement with the international community, especially with close partners in the Pacific Rim region,” he added.
Duterte laid down key areas where the international community can work together to ensure that all countries will be able to get back up from the effects of the disease.
According to Duterte, APEC economies have to ensure the unimpeded flow of medical supplies and technologies, especially COVID-19 vaccines as there is a need to strengthen partnerships to make vaccines a global public good.
“We have to defeat the virus everywhere, or no one is safe. To do this, we need to strengthen partnerships to make vaccines a global public good,” he said.
The President mentioned several modalities that are available, which include bilateral and multilateral cooperation and tripartite arrangements between the government and private sector and the multilateral financial institutions.
“There is no other way. Let us resolve to act decisively on universal vaccine access and maximize these mechanisms,” he added.
