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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider ASEAN stresses importance of having regional public health center

ASEAN stresses importance of having regional public health center

Published Apr 25, 2021 10:34 am

The Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) agreed that the region should have its own public health center as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic continued to take its toll on the region.

The ASEAN leaders meet at the organization’s secretariat building in Jakarta, Indonesia on April 24, 2021. (ASEAN)

Based on the ASEAN Chairman's Statement, the region should establish the said center immediately.

"We underscored the importance of establishing the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases in a timely manner," the statement read.

The ASEAN Leaders reiterated their commitment to the Implementation Plan of the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework (ACRF) in a timely manner. They likewise welcomed ASEAN Sectoral Bodies’ efforts to complement the Framework.

The ACRF serves as the consolidated exit strategy from the COVID-19 crisis. It articulates ASEAN response through the different stages of recovery, by focusing on key sectors and segments of society that are most affected by the pandemic, setting broad strategies, and identifying measures for recovery in line with sectoral and regional priorities.

The ASEAN Chairman's Statement also welcomed the decision to utilize the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund to procure vaccines for the people of ASEAN as soon as possible.

The Leaders likewise welcomed the recent announcement of Brunei Darussalam to contribute $100,000 to the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund.

The Philippines has encouraged ASEAN’s external partners to support and contribute to the Fund. In January this year, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said the Philippine government has pledged some $100,000 to the Fund.

Meanwhile, the Leaders also sought the expeditious conclusion of the ASEAN Travel Corridor Arrangement Framework (ATCAF), as well as the early operationalization of the ASEAN Regional Reserve of Medical Supplies for Public Health Emergencies.

The ATCAF, headed by Indonesia, was expected to open up channels for business travel and commerce between ASEAN nations. It was initially intended to be up and running by the end of the first quarter of 2021.

The ASEAN Regional Reserve of Medical Supplies for Public Health Emergencies, on the other hand, is another mechanism to bolster the bloc's resilience in dealing with future health emergencies.

Related Tags

COVID-19 response ASEAN covid-19 Association of Southeast Asian Nations Chairmans Statement Coronavirus disease pandemic vaccine coronavirus
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