Secretary-General, in Video Message to Pledge Conference, Says Funding GAVI’s Work Will Save 6 Million Lives, Generate Billions of Dollars in Economic Benefits

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s video message for the GAVI Replenishment Conference, in Berlin, to be held from 26 to 27 January:

Federal Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel, Federal Minister Dr. Gerd Müller [Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development], Your Excellencies, Dagfinn Hoybraten, Chair of the GAVI Board, Seth Berkley, CEO of the GAVI Alliance, honoured guests, ladies and gentlemen,

I am pleased to greet all the participants in this pledging conference for GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance.  I thank Chancellor Merkel for her leadership on this issue and for hosting this important meeting.

Investing in immunizations means investing in the world’s future.  It means protecting people from deadly and devastating diseases.  Vaccines are one of the most cost-effective interventions in improving global health.

Providing GAVI with the resources it needs will enable it to reach an additional 300 million children, save 6 million lives and generate economic benefits of $80 to $100 billion.

GAVI is a sound investment.  It has a strong track record in achieving results.  GAVI is also contributing to the gains we are making through the Every Woman Every Child movement and will be an important partner towards ending all preventable maternal, child and adolescent deaths in the sustainable development goals era.

Your continued support is vital.  We simply cannot stand idly by while there are still millions of people, particularly women and children, dying from preventable diseases.  Together, we can ensure that every child enjoys a healthy future and reaches his or her full potential.  Vaccines are one of the best investments you can make.  I wish you a successful pledging conference.  Thank you.