Kathmandu, Feb 26: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Narayan Khadka recognized the current pandemic as a common global problem and called for a strong push to make vaccines accessible and affordable to all.    

Addressing the High-Level Thematic Debate on Galvanizing Momentum for Universal Vaccination through a pre-recorded video, Foreign Minister said that universal vaccination is the only reliable assurance for the prevention of the pandemic. "We must focus on the realization of this goal and the promotion of vaccine equity", he said.    

He underscored the colossal economic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic particularly in poor countries and emphasized for scaled-up resources to enable the poorest countries to launch a resilient and people-centric recovery package to revive their economies.    

While highlighting the progress achieved in vaccination in Nepal, he said, “We have set the target of vaccinating all of our citizens above the age of 12 by mid-April this year”.    

He also expressed sincere gratitude to the neighbours and other friendly countries, development partners and the GAVI COVAX for their generous support of vaccines to Nepal.    

The debate was organized by the President of the General Assembly focusing on the recovery from COVID-19 as the priority theme of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly. Leaders from more than 120 countries participated in the event.