Indonesia to Co-Host Second Global COVID-19 Summit in May

TheIndonesia.id - Indonesia has been announced as one of the five countries that will host the second global COVID-19 summit in May, alongside the United States, Belize, Germany, and Senegal.

As reported by the US Embassy in Jakarta on Monday, April 18, the summit will be held virtually on May 12 and is aimed at redoubling collective efforts to end the acute phase of COVID-19 pandemic and make preparation for future health threats.

“The United States as first COVID Summit Chair; Belize, as CARICOM Chair; Germany, holding the G7 Presidency; Indonesia, holding the G20 Presidency; and Senegal as African Union Chair, are pleased to announce we will co-host the second global COVID-19 summit,” the statement read.

This is the follow up to the summit’s first edition which was held in September last year and hosted by the US.

Among some of the main focuses of this summit is equal global vaccination that is crucial for future health security. The statement called for on world leaders, members of civil society, non-governmental organizations, philanthropists, and the private sector to partake in the effort to vaccinate the world.

“Together, we can mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and protect those at the highest risk with vaccinations, testing, and treatments, actions to minimize disruption to routine health services, and through support for the ACT-Accelerator multilateral mechanism,” it stated.

The incoming summit will also put emphasis on supporting locally-led solutions to both immediate and long-term challenges, such as vaccination distribution and administration, deploying tests and treatments, and enhancing access to medical countermeasures.