‘Check against delivery
President Costa, dear António,
President Barroso, dear José Manuel,
Mr Gates, dear Bill,
President, Ministers, Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Vaccines are a powerful tool for saving lives, having saved over 150 million lives in the past 50 years. They are our primary defense against infectious diseases, and every vaccination means a healthier child and a more at-ease parent. Access to vaccines is crucial, and thanks to Gavi, over 1 billion children have been immunized, preventing more than 18 million deaths.
From an economic perspective, every dollar spent on vaccines yields a remarkable return of USD 54 in reduced healthcare costs and increased productivity, showcasing that vaccines not only save lives but also foster national prosperity.
Today, we reaffirm our commitment. I am proud to announce that Europe will continue its support as Team Europe is Gavis largest donor.
I pledge EUR 360 million to Gavi at this summit, part of a total Team Europe commitment exceeding EUR 2 billion. I urge all partners to match our ambition. Our goal is clear: we must prevent preventable diseases from turning into tragedies.
Funding is essential, but so is fostering long-term resilience. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of local production and secure supply chains. We must empower regions to produce their own vaccines, especially in Africa, where 99% of vaccines are imported. Thus, we are investing heavily in local vaccine manufacturing, mobilizing over EUR 2 billion to build sustainable capacity from Senegal to South Africa, Nigeria, and Rwanda.
We will soon sign new volume guarantee mechanisms with the EIB and the Gates Foundation to ensure predictable demand for African producers. This initiative guarantees over EUR 100 million for medical supplies from developing countries, fostering market creation and ensuring uptake.
We are collaborating closely with Gavi on this matter. Team Europe is the largest contributor to the Africa Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator, and I commend Gavi and UNICEF for committing to procure up to 20% of vaccines from African producers. Together, we can ensure that vaccines are not only available in Africa but also increasingly produced in Africa.
The narrative of vaccines transcends innovation and medicine; it embodies hope and the achievements of humanity through collaboration. To continue this story, we must fund Gavis vital work and strengthen the global health architecture to adapt to constrained budgets and emerging threats. Let’s ensure that progress continues and keep writing this global success story together.
Thank you.