Formins to discuss COVID-19, equitable access to vaccines at UN Security Council

TALLINN - A high-level meeting is to be held at the UN Security Council on the initiative of the United Kingdom on Wednesday to discuss COVID-19 and vaccines.

The virtual meeting is chaired by Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom Dominic Raab, spokespeople for the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. Estonian Foreign Minister Eva-Maria Liimets attends her first UN Security Council meeting.

The meeting focuses on fighting the pandemic and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines in conflict-affected areas. The agenda includes topics like the safety of healthcare professionals and the availability of logistics networks when delivering vaccines to vulnerable groups in areas affected by conflict. The ministers will also look at the role of the UN Security Council in solving the issue and in the fight against disinformation related to vaccines.

The meeting will be chaired by Raab. Henriette Fore, executive chairman of UNICEF, Seth Berkeley, managing director of the Gavi Vaccine Alliance, and Jagan Chapagain, secretary general of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, will brief the Council. 

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is represented by the country's prime minister. Estonia, China, Ireland, India, Kenya, Mexico, Norway, Tunisia, United Kingdom, United States, and Vietnam have stated they will participate at foreign minister level.