EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis
Head of Cabinet
Brussels,
1 9 NOV, 2020
EM//al Ares(2020)s 6711097
Art. 4(1)b
Access Campaign EU Policy & Advocacy Advisor
Medecins Sans Frontieres
Rue de l'Arbre Benit, 46
B- 1050 Bruxelles
Dear
,
Art. 4(1)b
Thank you for your letter of 9 October 2020, in which you seek the support of the
European Commission for the proposal submitted by South Africa and India to the WTO
TRIPS Council regarding a waiver from certain provisions under the Agreement on
Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (the 'TRIPS Agreement') in
relation to the prevention, containment or treatment of COVID-19.
I fully share your concerns about the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on
people's health, well-being and economic prosperity, here in Europe and globally. Safe
and effective diagnostics, treatments and vaccines are crucial in the fight against COVID-
19. In a global pandemic only broad and equitable access to vaccines across the globe
will ensure that the public health crisis can be tackled effectively, including in
developing countries that have no production capacities or more limited financial
resources. We need to find solutions for everyone, whether in developed or developing
countries, because it is a challenge we face together and because no one is safe until
everyone is safe.
The European Commission has therefore taken a leading role in the Global Coronavirus
Response where so far nearly EUR 16 billion have been pledged for universal access to
tests, treatments and vaccines against COVID-19 and for the global recovery.
Let me assure you that the European Commission fully supports the ground-breaking and
innovative cooperation under the Access to COVID Tools Accelerator (ACT-A), to
accelerate development, production, and equitable access to COVID-19 tests, treatments,
and vaccines. The EU Health Commissioner, Ms Stella Kyriakides, is our representative
in the recently established Facilitation Council that will advise and further promote the
activities of the ACT-A.
Commission europeenne/Europese Commissie, 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel, BELGIQUE/BELGIE - Tel. +32 22991111
Buro: BERL 12/302 -Tel. Durchwahl +32 229-58977 - Fax +32 229-91827
xxxxxxx.xxxxx@xx.xxxxxx.xx
Art. 4(1) b