Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi and Minister of State Owned Enterprises Erick Thohir has completed a series of meetings with a number of parties in Switzerland, Friday (16/10/2020).
In a media briefing that was held on Friday (16/10/2020) evening, Retno explained that the meeting in a multilateral context was held in Geneva, with Gavi COVAC Facilities CEO Seth Berkley, WHO Director General Thedros Ghebreyesus, and UNICEF.
“The objectives of the various meetings include continuing to consult and communicate intensively with these various organizations in managing Covid-19 and other strategic partnerships, conveying Indonesia’s support for multilateralism, and conveying Indonesia’s desire to become part of the COVAX AMC,” said Retno.
Retno revealed that during the meeting it was also discussed that vaccine development is a complicated process. There are risks and uncertainties in the development process.
World experts, according to Retno, will continue to strive to obtain vaccines in a timely, safe and effective manner. Adaptations and adjustments need to be made in the midst of this difficult situation.
In these meetings, he said that Indonesia conveyed the efforts it had made to secure the commitment to supply vaccines both through bilateral and multilateral channels and always emphasized the importance of the safety and efficacy of these vaccines.
“In the meeting with GAVI, we convey that the President of Indonesia has received a letter from GAVI on 18 September 2020. The GAVI letter basically states that Indonesia deserves to receive Official Development Assistance (ODA) in the COVAX Advanced Market Commitment (COVAX AMC) for the provision of the Covid vaccine. -19 in a multilateral framework, “said Retno.
“In his letter, Gavi also hopes for cooperation with Indonesia in handling Covid-19. As a follow-up to GAVI’s letter, at the meeting, Indonesia officially submitted a letter containing an Expression of Interest from Indonesia to join the COVAX AMC,” he continued.
According to him, the details of the multilateral vaccine provision must be discussed together. Indonesia, said Retno, will continue to monitor the development of the multilateral vaccine.
On that occasion, the former Indonesian Ambassador to the Netherlands said that he had delivered a letter of expression of interest when meeting the WHO Director General. At the meeting, Indonesia again emphasized its support for multilateralism, including related to the problem of vaccines.
“We also exchanged views on the current world pandemic situation, including new challenges facing world countries. The Indonesian delegation provided updates on the management of Covid-19 in Indonesia. And we also explained Indonesia’s efforts to obtain vaccines in collaboration with several countries, “said Retno.
“In addition, we also provide updates on the efforts of Indonesian experts to develop our national vaccine, the Red and White Vaccine. We also explain the vaccination plan and agree with WHO to continue to coordinate and communicate, both in preparation and implementation of vaccination,” he continued.
Indonesia and WHO, according to Retno, also agreed to continue to improve communication and collaboration in pandemic management and other strategic partnerships in the health sector.
Retno also said that BUMN Deputy Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin had met UNICEF representatives to discuss the procurement of vaccine distribution from COVAX. Also discussed crucial aspects to ensure the smooth running of vaccinations in Indonesia, namely distribution infrastructure, cold-chain and strong technical capacity of health workers to ensure a smooth vaccination process in Indonesia.
“The meeting of the Deputy Deputy Minister for BUMN was a follow-up to the signing of the MoU with UNICEF in Jakarta on September 15,” said Retno.
Closing his presentation, Retno said that his trip with Erick to England and Switzerland was an effort to secure vaccine commitments both through bilateral and multilateral channels.
The issues discussed were not only safeguarding commitments, but also establishing longer strategic partnerships including with world organizations such as WHO, GAVI, CEPI, UNICEF.
This, according to Retno, is possible because Indonesia, among others, through Bio Farma, has the capacity to do so.
“Third, we also collaborate like this and show Indonesia’s commitment and leadership to support multilateralism, support access to vaccines for all, vaccine for all. We will continue to coordinate and communicate with them. Once again, cooperation is key,” he said. Retno.
Meanwhile, Erick emphasized transparency as the key word in this state visit.
“How do we try to ensure that vaccinations will continue to occur in Indonesia. And also transparently, the Foreign Minister conveyed globally, in the sense of meeting with WHO, GAVI and others in a transparent manner,” said Erick.
“And this is important for us, earlier, to be part of the world. And of course we also ensure that we also want security for the Indonesian people,” he continued.
Finally, Erick said that PT Bio Farma (Persero) Tbk has become a global company because CEPI has recognized its quality. This is because Bio Farma distributes many vaccines to the world.
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