The President of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) told journalists on Wednesday, Equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines will represent an "acid test" for the international community. He was highlighting the significance of global cooperation and solidarity in beating back the disease.

ECOSOC President Munir Akram who was speaking during a virtual press briefing, also outlined objectives for 2021, including plans for a facility to support infrastructure investment in developing countries, and forums to examine issues critical to recovery and achieving sustainable development.

Mr. Akram, who is Pakistan's Ambassador to the UN, stressed that COVID-19 vaccines must be viewed as "a global public good" and thus accessible to everyone, everywhere.

He highlighted the groundbreaking international collaboration working to achieve this goal, known as the COVAX Facility, but stated it ultimately was a question of political will whether the entire global population will receive vaccines.

"It is up to governments to be able to decide that they will allocate a portion of the vaccine production for other countries: for developing countries, for the vulnerable in developing countries," he said, responding to a journalist's question.

"This will be an acid test, and certainly we as developing countries, as international actors here at the United Nations, we must press for this equity, " He said.

(With input from the United Nations)