Development Committee - Statement by H.E. Kun Liu - 103rd Meeting (Virtual) - April 9, 2021

Jul 19, 2026

Statement by H.E. Kun Liu, Minister of Finance on behalf of the People’s Republic of China, delivered at the 103rd (virtual) Meeting of the Development Committee on April 9, 2021. It addresses the next stage of the global fight against COVID-19, emphasizing equitable vaccine distribution for developing countries through stronger WBG coordination, investment in vaccine R&D, and improved procurement eligibility. It also calls for balanced green, resilient, and inclusive development guided by the Twin Goals, including climate and digital economy initiatives.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages5

Reading Time13 min

Background and priorities

Advancing global anti-epidemic cooperation

Vaccine support and equitable access

Strengthening R&D and removing supply bottlenecks

Coordinating with WHO, GAVI, COVAX and others

Revising procurement eligibility criteria

Green, resilient and inclusive development (Twin Goals)

Integrating green into growth and climate action

Digital economy, jobs and transformation

Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (Joint Ministerial Committee of the Boards of Governors ofthe Bank and the Fund on the Transfer of Real Resources to Developing Countries) ONE HUNDRED AND THIRD MEETING WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 9, 2021 (VIRTUAL) DC/S/2021-0020 April 9, 2021 Statement by H.E. Kun Liu Minister of Finance on behalf of People’s Republic of China Statement by H.E. Kun Liu Minister of Finance on behalf of People’s Republic of China 103rd Meeting of the Development Committee (VIRTUAL) The international fight against COVID-19 has entered a new stage. Vaccines have brought about the dawn of victory over the pandemic. However, the situation around the world is still complex and severe, with numerous uncertainties and destabilizing factors. In particular, developing countries are noticeably lagging behind in vaccination and facing daunting challenges in building back after the pandemic. The World Bank Group (WBG) should continue to play a leading role in global anti-epidemic and development cooperation. Based on the needs of member countries, the WBG should enhance resource mobilization, accelerate vaccine deployment, and actively support green, resilient, sustainable and inclusive development in the post-pandemic era. 1. Strengthening international cooperation in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic and facilitating fair and equitable global distribution of vaccines Inequitable distribution of vaccines seriously hinders a balanced recovery of global economy. China has been proactively fulfilling President Xi Jinping’s important commitment to making COVID-19 vaccines a global public good. China has announced to provide 10 million doses of vaccines as the first batch to COVAX, and has been providing vaccine aid to 80 countries and exporting vaccines to more than 40 countries. We call on the WBG to continue leveraging its comparative advantages to provide targeted support programs for client countries, strengthen collaboration with development partners and work for accelerated equitable vaccine access of developing countries. First, support vaccine R&D and facilitate elimination of vaccine supply bottlenecks. The WBG should make full use of its financing and guarantee instruments to strengthen investment in global vaccine R&D. Meanwhile, the WBG should play its convening role as a multilateral institution to promote local production of vaccines in developing countries, to increase global vaccine production capacity and make vaccines a truly global public good. Second, enhance international coordination to support developing countries’ rapid and equitable access to vaccines. At the international level, the WBG should take advantage of its funding and coordination strengths, to step up communication with World Health Organization (WHO), Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), COVAX and other mechanisms so as to create synergy to jointly realize equitable distribution, timely procurement and orderly deployment of vaccines. At the national level, the WBG should ensure fair allocation of vaccine facilities by considering country specifics, capabilities and needs in a holistic manner, to provide equal support to all. Third, modify the eligibility criteria for vaccine procurement to improve efficiency. There is now a pronounced mismatch between vaccine supply and demand. Under such circumstances, it’s difficult to implement the WBG’s current vaccine procurement eligibility criteria which are beyond normal requirements. They not only limit developing countries’ access to vaccines and hence reduce the costeffectiveness of vaccine procurement, but also hinder the Bank’s cooperation with other international mechanisms. In this connection, we urge the WBG to fully respect the independent vaccine procurement choices of client countries and effectively improve the accessibility of vaccines in developing countries. 2. Promotin

FAQs

What does the statement say about the current stage of the global COVID-19 response?

It notes that vaccines have enabled a new stage in overcoming the pandemic, while many uncertainties and severe conditions remain globally. It highlights that developing countries lag in vaccination and face major challenges in post-pandemic recovery.

How does it propose improving access to COVID-19 vaccines for developing countries?

It calls for stronger WBG resource mobilization to support vaccine R&D, local production, and international coordination with WHO, GAVI, COVAX, and other mechanisms. It also urges fair national allocation of vaccine facilities and changes to procurement eligibility criteria for better efficiency.

What are the key development priorities beyond vaccines?

The statement emphasizes promoting green, resilient, and inclusive development guided by the Twin Goals. It supports climate action financing updates and expansion of digital economy efforts, including jobs and economic transformation, to help narrow the digital divide.

Jul 19, 2026

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