With more than two million lives now lost worldwide to COVID-19, the UN Secretary-General appealed on Friday for countries to work together and help each other to end the pandemic and save lives.

“In the memory of those two million souls, the world must act with far greater solidarity”, Mr. Guterres said.

Mr. Guterres went on to note that though safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines are being rolled out, the disparity continues between nations.

“Vaccines are reaching high-income countries quickly, while the world’s poorest have none at all,” he said, adding that “some countries are pursuing side deals, even procuring beyond need”.

 The UN chief went on to note that while governments have a responsibility to protect their populations, “‘vaccinationalism’ is self-defeating and will delay a global recovery”.

“COVID-19 cannot be beaten one country at a time”, he noted.

UzA