calls on Security Council to address intellectual property

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The director of the UN health agency assures that this issue is the “elephant in the room” that is not talked about. Small- and middle-income countries would benefit tremendously from a provisional lifting of intellectual property rights on vaccines, which powers such as the European Union have opposed. The  World Health Organization  welcomed the resolution approved this Friday by the  Security Council  that calls for a ceasefire in all armed conflicts to allow vaccination against COVID-19 in conflict zones, but said that the body could do even more to help end the pandemic such as addressing the intellectual property provisions of vaccines.

The resolution, drafted by the United Kingdom, calls on all Member States for equitable access to vaccines, including in conflict zones, also calls for funding the COVAX initiative*, as well as including refugees in each country's vaccination programs . As reported by the British mission to the UN, the document has been co-sponsored by more than Belgium Mobile Number List countries, including the 15 members of the Security Council. “ I am glad that the Security Council voted in favor of vaccine equity,  but if we want practical solutions, then the intellectual property exemption must be taken seriously and the Security Council can do it if there is political will. Voting for equity is important and we appreciate it, but concrete steps must be taken to increase production, vaccination and end this virus as soon as possible,” said Dr.



Adhanon Gebreyesus during his biweekly press conference. The WHO director explained that in the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) there are provisions for sharing intellectual property, but this issue remains “the elephant in the room.” that no one wants to talk about. “Especially when we talk about intellectual property we see a lack of cooperation and serious resistance. To be honest, I can't understand it. This pandemic is unprecedented and the virus has taken the entire world hostage. This kind of thing happens once every 100 years. If the provision cannot be applied now, then when? "If we cannot apply provisions during difficult times and under unprecedented conditions, then when? This is serious," Tedros exclaimed.