CAPE TOWN, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile on Tuesday called for regional and global partnerships in building self-reliant vaccine manufacturing capacity and pandemic preparedness.
Mashatile made the remarks in his opening speech at the 24th Annual General Meeting of the Developing Countries Vaccine Manufacturers Network, which will be held in Cape Town, the legislative capital of South Africa, from Tuesday to Thursday.
The theme of this year's meeting is "Accelerating Sustainable Regional Vaccine Manufacturing through Global Partnerships."
In his speech, Mashatile said the COVID-19 pandemic "has been a stark reminder that we are all interconnected, and no one is safe until everyone is safe."
The deputy president noted that Africa, like many regions, faced significant challenges in securing sufficient vaccines during the pandemic.
"In an ever-evolving world, we cannot remain reliant on external sources for vaccines and pandemic readiness," said Mashatile. "In our pursuit of self-reliance and pandemic preparedness, let us not forget the importance of collaboration."
"We must work hand in hand with our fellow African nations, sharing knowledge and resources, and with the global community to achieve these ambitious goals," he stressed.
Mashatile also urged participants to commit to building a brighter future for Africa, "one where we are not just recipients of vaccines and aid but producers and champions of our own health and well-being."
He said he envisions an Africa that is resilient in the face of pandemics, an Africa that provides hope and health to its people, and an Africa that contributes to the well-being of the entire world.
"Together, we can make this vision a reality, but only with the support of the global vaccine community," he added. ■