The UK has helped to raise $1 billion for the coronavirus COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC) through match-funding other donors, which combined with the £548 million of UK aid pledged will help distribute one billion doses of coronavirus vaccines to 92 developing countries this year.
This vital investment will help stop the spread of the disease and prevent future waves, helping to build back better from coronavirus globally. The UK is using its aid budget, scientific expertise, and diplomatic leverage to strengthen global health.
The announcement coincides with a three-day virtual visit to London by the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, as part of the UK’s commemoration of the UN’s 75th anniversary.
Over the last 75 years, the UK has played a leading role in supporting the UN and worked together to strengthen international collaboration to tackle today’s biggest global challenges, from coronavirus to climate change.
“It is fitting that, on the 75th anniversary of the UN, the UK has led with our allies to make one billion doses of coronavirus vaccine available to vulnerable countries. We’ll only be safe from this virus, when we’re all safe – which is why we’re focused on a global solution to a global problem,” said Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab.
“At this time of new global turmoil, I am honoured to virtually visit the United Kingdom to mark that occasion, renew our cause of overcoming global challenges together, and celebrate a country that was instrumental in creating the United Nations and which remains, today, a crucial member state, not least in the run-up to COP26 in Glasgow,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
On Monday 11 January, the UN Secretary-General will virtually meet with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office Ministers Lord Ahmad, James Cleverly, Lord Goldsmith, and Wendy Morton, and the COP26 President-Designate, Alok Sharma. The Secretary-General will also hold discussions with the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Since 2011, UK aid has provided over 26 million people with improved access to clean energy and is looking ahead with even higher ambition, having committed to invest £11.6 billion of International Climate Finance from April 2021.
