Rabat – Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita has called on the member states of G77 and China to make the health crisis an opportunity to consolidate multilateral solidarity and ensure universal access to vaccines.
Speaking by videoconference at the 45th ministerial meeting of the G77 and China held yesterday in New York, Bourita spoke of the need to accelerate sustainable recovery from the ongoing crisis amid COVID and its impact on the development of many countries.
Less than 6% of the African population is fully vaccinated, he said, arguing that despite the promising global economic outlook, the recovery remains “uneven” and “uncertain” as new waves of infections are still on the rise.
“The persistence of the health crisis is exacerbating the vulnerabilities and structural problems that most of our economies suffer from, which are difficult to address without bold investments in vital sectors such as health, education, social protection, infrastructure, clean energy and sustainable development,” he added.
Bourita also noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has unveiled the importance of investing in human and sustainable development, arguing that the 2030 Agenda has a pivotal role in boosting international cooperation and collective action.
For the Moroccan minister, the G77 and China must focus on climate change, which represents an “existential threat” to the most vulnerable countries.
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It would be difficult to initiate a green, resilient, and sustainable recovery from the current crisis, he noted, emphasizing the importance of “intensifying advocacy to achieve the commitments made, especially by developed countries.”
During the videoconference, Bourita also stressed the need to strengthen solidarity and boost global partnerships, especially for the least developed countries (LDCs).
The 5th UN Conference on LDCs, scheduled to take place in Doha next January, aims to launch a new program to enable low-income countries to overcome the challenges they face, he added.
Morocco’s chief diplomat concluded his speech by congratulating Pakistan on its election to the presidency of the G77 for next year.
