[Title] Video message by Minister for Foreign Affairs MOTEGI at the Gavi COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC) One World Protected

Mr. Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State, Mr. Barroso, the Gavi Board Chair, Excellencies,

I first would like to express my respect to the U.S. Government and the Gavi for co-hosting this event.

In order to overcome the COVID-19 crisis, it is important to promote efforts to "leave no one's health behind" under the concept of human security. Japan has been offering full support for countries including developing countries in ensuring equitable access to vaccines. Japan announced its participation in the COVAX facility ahead of other economies, and was the first donor to disburse funds in order to support the COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC) and assist the Gavi to secure vaccines. Japan has already contributed $ 200 million to the COVAX-AMC and will continue to do its utmost to support the initiative. In addition, Japan will further contribute to the global community in cooperation with the COVAX facility and through various means including the Quad, a Japan-Australia-India-U.S. framework for manufacturing, procurement and delivery of vaccines.

Today, we are pleased to announce that Japan will co-host the "AMC Summit" with the Gavi in June.

Many countries and regions have already received vaccines distributed through the COVAX facility and have started vaccination enrollment. However, the supply of vaccines and funding are still insufficient, and there is an urgent need to further strengthen the COVAX facility to ensure equitable access to safe, effective, and quality-assured vaccines to people in developing countries.

Now is the time for the world leaders to fulfill a promise to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC), thereby delivering basic health care to everyone in the world.Japan remains fully committed to tackling and overcoming this crisis, hand-in-hand with many partners.