Minister Sajjan participates in UN debate on universal vaccination and concludes visit to UN headquarters in New York City

Vaccinating the world against COVID-19 is critical to protect everyone from COVID-19. Canada is a leading international donor striving to end the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are working hand-in-hand with the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access (COVAX) Facility to ensure vaccines reach those who need them most. No one is safe until everyone is safe.

On February 25, 2022, the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, participated in a high-level thematic debate, “Galvanizing Momentum for Universal Vaccination”, convened by His Excellency Abdulla Shahid, President of the United Nations General Assembly.

Minister Sajjan opened his statement to the General Assembly by denouncing Russia for its unprovoked and unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine and the threat this poses to the international rules-based order. The Minister went on to acknowledge that the pandemic has shown that the global community can come together during a time of crisis to protect the lives of those who are threatened.

The Minister highlighted that Canada has been a leading donor and has worked since the beginning of the pandemic to support the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator and COVAX. He highlighted that Canada has made the equivalent of over 100 million doses available to COVAX as we work toward our commitment to donate the equivalent of at least 200 million doses to the COVAX Facility by the end of 2022. In closing, he reiterated how critical it is for Canada to work with all nations to support the global vaccination effort and to support the building of sustainable health systems alongside the Global South.

The Minister’s participation in the debate concluded two days of productive meetings at UN headquarters during which he met with UN and international partners.

Minister Sajjan and His Excellency Abdullah Shahid President of the United Nations General Assembly, discussed plans to support multilateral efforts toward the recovery from the pandemic. They also discussed the importance of an effective, efficient, relevant and accountable UN system as the foundation for the rules-based international system.

In response to the developing crisis in the Ukraine, Minister Sajjan also met with Martin Griffiths, the head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, to discuss the situation on the ground and support to Ukraine. Canada has committed to providing $35 million in development assistance and $15 million in humanitarian assistance to people affected by the conflict in Ukraine. The humanitarian assistance will focus on ensuring people’s access to basic services and strengthening protection—for example, advocacy and support for freedom of movement. It will also include support health, water and sanitation, shelter, and food security. 

Canada stands ready to further support responses to rapidly evolving humanitarian needs and has announced that it will match, dollar for dollar, donations made by individual Canadians to the Canadian Red Cross Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal between February 24 and March 18, 2022, up to a maximum of $10 million.

Quotes

“We have more to do to end this health crisis. More vaccines to supply, more testing capabilities to provide, more personal protective equipment to give. Today, we have the opportunity to commit to be a force for good in the world because the colour of your skin should not determine how long you must wait to receive a life-saving vaccine.”

– Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada

Quick facts

• Since the start of the pandemic, the Government of Canada has committed more than $2.6 billion to support the global response to COVID-19. This includes a contribution of over $1.3 billion to the ACT-Accelerator to ensure that COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics are available around the world. Of this, $545 million has been provided to the COVAX Facility for the procurement, delivery and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.
• Canada has committed to donating the equivalent of at least 200 million doses to the COVAX Facility by the end of 2022. Through financial contributions and donated surplus doses, Canada has made available the equivalent of approximately 100 million doses through COVAX. 
• The COVAX Facility has collectively delivered more than 1.19 billion doses to 144 countries and territories around the world. Canada is working closely with COVAX partners and vaccine manufacturers to encourage the timely, predictable release and allocation of doses that Canada has committed to donate through COVAX.