Speech by Taoiseach Micheál Martin at the Global Summit for Health & Prosperity through Immunisation

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Good evening. I am honoured to join you today at this Pledging Summit, to affirm Ireland’s deep and sustained commitment to global health equity.

Vaccines have utterly transformed health outcomes across the world. Evidence from the World Health Organisation shows that vaccination is one of the best health investments that money can buy and one of the most impactful tools available to us.

However, as we look around the world, the reality is that inequalities in healthcare and access persist. Globally, health systems are struggling to keep pace with levels of need. In some humanitarian situations, health systems are even under attack.

We must do more.

We must protect essential health services.

We must ensure those in crisis settings have access to healthcare, including immunisation.

We must ensure that children are not dying from preventable diseases.

No one should be left behind.

Ireland’s foreign policy and our development cooperation is fundamentally guided by the principle of reaching the furthest behind first.

Vulnerable children, who have not received any routine vaccinations are front and centre of this focus.

Gavi is without doubt a strategic, relevant and effective partner in the global effort to protect and secure health and well-being for all.

So, on behalf of the Irish people, I am today happy to confirm a pledge of €21.6 million for Gavi’s work to deliver health and prosperity through immunisation.

This is a 20% increase on our previous pledge and demonstrates Ireland’s commitment, not just to Gavi, but to global health equity, solidarity and multilateralism.

Overall, Ireland is committed to providing support that is both predictable and flexible, and to maintaining our ODA priorities, focused on ending poverty and working in solidarity to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Go raibh míle maith agat.