WTO Gets Petition From Activist Network Calling for Accessible COVID-19 Vaccines Globally

The World Trade Organization received an updated petition from online activist group Avaaz, signed by more than 2.7 million people, calling for universal access to COVID-19 vaccines, according to June 7 press release. Forty different organizations globally were involved in the petition, including Public Citizen, the People's Vaccine Alliance and Amnesty International. The petition was delivered the day before a meeting of the Council for Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights, where discussions are ongoing on a proposal to waive TRIPS Agreement obligations for the vaccine. "The WTO is very appreciative of the time and dedication that Avaaz and others continue to give to this important issue," said Bernard Kuiten, the WTO's head of external relations. "The WTO needs to be aware of citizens' views and concerns with trade matters that could directly affect them. Avaaz and others are helping to raise awareness about access to vaccines and their vital role in ensuring a global solution to the COVID-19 crisis." An original version of the petition had more than 900,000 signatures and was dropped off at the WTO on Dec. 9, 2020.