FCDO Minister of State spoke at the CEPI Global
Pandemic Preparedness Summit 2022 on March 8 2022.
Good afternoon everyone once again. And I would like to start by
thanking everyone for taking part in this global pandemic
preparedness summit. It has been fantastic for the UK to welcome
so many people both in person and online and to take part in such
a rich discussion and to show our collective support for CEPI’s
pioneering work.
But while we gather here in London on the critical agenda of
pandemic preparedness, I know that many of us will also be
thinking about the horrors being committed by President Putin on
the peaceful people of Ukraine. And I’m sure you will want to
join me confirming that our thoughts and prayers are with Ukraine
today as we condemn this unjustified war. I am proud the UK is
providing critical medical supplies as part of our wider
humanitarian support. Six flights have departed so far with over
500,000 items. So we remember Ukraine.
But through this summit, we also show that responsible countries
and partners are still coming together to build a better, safer
world. We are not deflected from that critical mission. The
commitments made today in support of CEPI show our determination
to learn the lessons from Covid and to build our collective
health defences.
Together, we put our money where our mouth is, and raised a total
of over 1.5 billion US dollars towards CEPI’s fundraising goal.
And many industry partners have made their own commitments today
to deliver real progress towards making the 100 days mission a
reality with a joint statement of intent now published and signed
between the UK government, CEPI and industry.
This is not just an investment in CEPI and their ground-breaking
research. It’s an investment in global resilience against disease
An investment in a healthier future in which the 100 days mission
is a reality.
CEPI has more than proven its worth in the global response to
COVID-19.
Their investment in 14 vaccine partnerships, which made up one of
the world’s largest vaccine portfolios, helped give world’s
scientists - including our researchers in Oxford - a head-start
in their race to save lives. Every deal that CEPI has struck has
had equitable access to vaccines at its heart.
And they have shown steadfast leadership on making vaccines
available across the world in this pandemic, through their work
to launch the ACT-Accelerator and the COVAX facility.
And we have also heard today about CEPI’s work on boosting
vaccine manufacturing to give all regions the ownership they need
on this agenda.
Today, on International Women’s Day, we have also heard how
pandemics have a disproportionate impact on women and girls, who
often carry the burden of being primary carers or frontline
health workers and are often at high risk of infection or
complications, particularly pregnant and nursing women.
CEPI, with their commitment to vaccine equity is a key part of
the solution for women, girls, and other marginalised groups and
vulnerable populations. And women have been at the forefront of
vaccine development, as brilliant scientists who’ve stepped-up
over the past two years and saved millions of lives. In the face
of devastating impacts of COVID-19, this has been science’s
finest hour.
And I’d particularly like to recognise: Professor Dame Sarah
Gilbert, and her work to create the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine;
Dr Nita Patel – who led the development of Novavax; And Dr
Katalin Karikó, who paved the way for the Pfizer and Moderna
vaccines.
However, we also know that COVID-19 will not be the last pandemic
we face.
Future pandemics could pose an even more severe threat, so we
have to stay vigilant and, as an international community, prepare
to respond to the unknown Disease X, whatever it is and wherever
it emerges in the world.
Today has shown why CEPI’s target to have safe vaccines ready
within 100 days for a future outbreak and to develop vaccines for
their priority pathogens is so important.
The UK championed the 100 days mission under our G7 Presidency
and we have committed £160 million towards the total raised today
as a critical down payment against CEPI’s plan to make 100 days
mission a reality.
And the UK is proud to continue our steadfast collaboration with
CEPI, through their newly announced partnership with the
University of Cambridge’s DioSynVax. This partnership will
develop vaccines that are broadly protective against a range of
beta coronaviruses including potential new variants.
Achieving this will require the best of the public and private
sectors working together earlier and on a global scale and CEPI
is a key partner when it comes to realising this goal.
That is why the UK could not be prouder to host this summit, or
be pleased that this summit has raised over 1.5 billion dollars
today for CEPI. This is a fantastic start toward CEPI’s 5 year
strategy and I look forward to more of our international partners
coming forward to support CEPI’s mission, and to pledge funds in
the coming weeks following this summit for this vital work.
Together, we are not just turning the tide against COVID-19, but
we are ensuring the world comes out of this pandemic stronger and
safer for the future.
Thank you for making that possible.
