Page 29 - English_F5

English

whom we need to keep them afloat, my country, therefore, adopted all the necessary
measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, including joining the COVAX facility,
to ensure that Tanzanians gain access to the COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccination
campaign started in July this year with the most vulnerable communities and later on
other age groupings.

FOR ONLINE READING ONLY
Mr President,
Globally, when COVID-19 vaccines were being developed, some of us were hopeful
that this would mean something good to all of humanity. Nevertheless, we have come
to learn that the virus is moving faster than the global production and distribution of
vaccines, as the vast majority of vaccines have been administered in high and upper-
middle-income countries. With the current pace, it is less likely that we will meet the
WHO’s threshold of vaccinating at least 40 percent of people in every country by the
end of 2021, and at least 70 percent by the first half of 2022.

The level of vaccine inequity that we see is appalling. It is truly disheartening to see
that whilst most of our countries have inoculated less than 2% of our populace and,
thus, seek more vaccines for our people, other countries are about to roll out the third
dose, calling it “booster vaccine”. We tend to forget that nobody is safe until everyone
is safe. It is indispensable that countries with surplus COVID-19 vaccine doses share
them with other countries. On another note, it is our humble request that patent rights
on COVID-19 vaccines should be waived for developing countries so that they can
afford to produce the vaccines. This is not only a necessary move to end this pandemic
but also the right thing to do to save humanity.
Mr President,

On economic fronts, the United Republic of Tanzania, like other countries, has not been
spared by the effects of COVID-19. Before the pandemic, our economy was growing at
a steady rate of 6.9 percent compared to the current growth rate estimated at 5.4 percent.
We are now embarking on reviving the tourism sector which was badly affected because
of travel restrictions put in many countries as a means to curb the spread of COVID-19.

While slowly trying to revive most of the economic activities suffocated by the
pandemic, the Government continues to work hard to improve the business environment
and attract more investment. Aware of the nexus between economic growth and
governance, we managed to maintain peace and political stability, with a vibrant
democracy and institutionalised good governance practices, upholding the rule of law
and human rights.

Mr President,
I wish to take note of the Secretary General’s Report on “Our Common Agenda” which
raises key issues of our common concern such as gender equality, climate change, and
youth development.

Form Five 20 Tanzania Institute of Education (TIE)

24/06/2024 22:26
ENGLISH FORM 5.indd 20 24/06/2024 22:26
ENGLISH FORM 5.indd 20