Incoming WTO Chief: Vaccine nationalism could slow pandemic recovery

“Vaccine nationalism’ could slow progress in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Trade Organization (WTO) incoming chief on Monday Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said in a Reuters interview late-Monday, adding that this could check the economic growth worldwide.

Key takeaways

“Top priority was to ensure the WTO does more to address the pandemic.”

“Members should accelerate efforts to lift export restrictions slowing trade in needed medicines and supplies.”

“The WTO can contribute so much more to helping stop the pandemic.”

“No one is safe until everyone is safe. Vaccine nationalism at this time just will not pay, because the variants are coming. If other countries are not immunized, it will just be a blow back.”

“It’s unconscionable that people will be dying elsewhere, waiting in a queue, when we have the technology.”