WASHINGTON – Ambassador Katherine Tai today met virtually with Dr. Seth Berkley, the Chief Executive Officer of GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance to discuss increasing vaccine production, global health issues and the proposed waiver of certain provisions of World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) for COVID-19 pandemic. Ambassador Tai expressed her appreciation for the important role GAVI has played in in securing and distributing vaccines for developing countries through COVAX and other initiatives.
The Ambassador highlighted her commitment to using trade policy to save lives in the pandemic and ensure that the United States, and the world, are better prepared in the future. She also welcomed Dr. Berkley’s views on how to accelerate the rollout and distribution of vaccines to developing countries. Ambassador Tai and Dr. Berkley agreed to regular conversations and expressed hope in finding a global solution to end the COVID-19 pandemic.
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