Jokowi to Highlight Unequal COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution at UN General Assembly

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo reportedly will attend the 76th session of the United Nations or UN General Assembly virtually, especially in the general debate session. His speech was scheduled for Wednesday, September 22.

World leaders have arrived in New York for the international forum that will commence Tuesday, September 21, 2021. Around a third of the state heads of the 193 members will also attend virtually due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry’s Director General of Multilateral Cooperation, Febrian A. Ruddyard, said Indonesia will raise the issue of the global COVID-19 vaccination gap. “Given the inequality of vaccination in various countries, I think this issue must be addressed at the general assembly,” said Febrian during the meeting preparation as quoted from Antara on Wednesday, September 15.

At the international forum, Indonesia will encourage global efforts to deal with the issue by emphasizing that no country could end the pandemic without cooperation with other countries. “The point is no country can win alone, [but the pandemic must be contained] together,” Febrian remarked.

Other than COVID-19 vaccination, Jokowi will highlight other issues related to global order and crisis resolution in Palestine, Afghanistan, and Myanmar, as well as call for other countries to bolster UN mechanisms and multilateralism.

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YUDONO YANUAR