The World Health Organization (WHO) has joined other partners in calling upon governments to finance a new $50 billion roadmap to fund the equitable distribution of vaccines and other crucial health tools.

The WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom announced the plan, which is also supported by the International Monetary Fund, the World Trade Organization and the World Bank Group.

"This would help us dramatically scale up the production of diagnostics, treatments, oxygen, medical equipment and vaccines for equitable distribution," said Tedros.

"Furthermore, this new roadmap reflects the need to enhance countries readiness and capacity systems to utilize these tools rapidly, safely and effectively."

The partners expect the funding commitment to bolster responses by developing countries, reducing infections and deaths, while also accelerating economic recovery.

Tedros also used the opportunity to again rally rich nations to share their vaccine doses with poor countries to ensure a synchronized fight against the pandemic.

He expressed optimism that with unity, 40 percent of the world's population could be vaccinated by the end of the year.