Duterte seeks creation of Asean center for public health emergencies ASAP
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte called for the creation of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Center on Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases to be expedited.
In a video aired Wednesday, Duterte, during his intervention at the 38th Asean Summit on Tuesday, stressed the need for the center as Asean “must be able to stand” on its own.
READ: Duterte joins 38th, 39th Asean Summit
https://www.facebook.com/PresSpokespersonPH/videos/402287838094927
“We also need to immediately establish the Asean Centre on Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases. It has been almost a year since we conceptualized the Centre,” Duterte, speaking in Malacañang Palace, told Asean leaders virtually.
“Our generous donors and partners are still waiting for us to choose the host country,” he added.
Aside from the center, Duterte pointed out that Asean must have its own vaccine research production facilities “to be ready for the future public health emergencies.”
If funds are available, the Philippine president also urged the Asean secretariat to purchase more COVID-19 vaccines and ensure “phased and comprehensive implementation of broad strategies under the Asean Comprehensive Recovery Framework.”
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