Health and Medical Care

　The COVAX AMC Summit will be held on June 2, co-hosted by the Government of Japan and Gavi. Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide and Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu, representatives from Governments including H.E. Dr. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, representatives from International Organizations, and Mr. Bill Gates, Co-founder of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, among others, plan to attend the Summit.

　In order to overcome COVID-19, it is important to promote equitable access to vaccines not only in Japan but also throughout the world. Under the concept of universal health coverage, Japan attaches high importance to ensuring equitable access to safe, effective, and quality-assured vaccines, together with therapeutics, diagnostics and health systems, for every country in the world.

　The COVAX Facility estimates that US$ 8.3 billion will be necessary in order to provide 1.8 billion doses of vaccines for developing countries (approx. 30% of their total population) by the end of 2021. As the Co-host of the Summit, Japan intends to lead discussion at the Summit with the view to raising necessary funds for the COVAX Facility.

［Note 1］COVAX Facility (COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access Facility)
　The COVAX Facility is a comprehensive mechanism for resource mobilization and supply coordination led by Gavi. It aims to secure equitable access to vaccines regardless of income levels. COVAX enables supply of COVID-19 vaccines swiftly at an affordable price, leveraging economies of scale through guaranteeing purchase and market demand for vaccine. Of these, the Advance Market Commitment (AMC) requires a total of US$8.3 billion by the end of 2021.

［Note 2］COVAX AMC Summit schedule
　COVAX AMC Summit will be held at 20:00-22:20, Wednesday 2, 2021 (Tokyo local time). The Summit starts with opening remarks by the co-host, followed by statements and presentations. Live streaming is accessible at Gavi website.