Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh stated that over the past 20 years, the US and Southeast Asia have cooperated closely in the health sector. This is also a prominent area of cooperation in the comprehensive partnership between the US and Vietnam.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, the US and Southeast Asia have cooperated closely to prevent COVID-19, maintain the supply chain and support each other in medical equipment and supplies. The US has provided the region with nearly 24 million doses of vaccine, of which Vietnam alone has received more than 5 million doses of Moderna vaccine and is preparing to receive an additional 1 million doses of US Pfizer vaccine this month.
"We welcome the US opening of the CDC Southeast Asia Office in Hanoi. This shows great potential in strengthening the comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and the US. Vietnam will facilitate the operation of the Southeast Asia CDC Office and believe that the Office will cooperate closely with partners inside and outside the region to achieve the goal of ensuring the best healthcare for the people. I hope the Vice President will continue to provide vaccines and medical equipment to Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam, to overcome the pandemic and restore development" - Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh said.
Vice President Kamala Harris expressed her honor to be present at the opening ceremony of the Southeast Asia CDC Office, one of four CDC offices worldwide. Ms. Harris emphasized that the COVID-19 pandemic poses serious threats, taking millions of lives worldwide.
"When President Joe Biden and I took office in January, we were determined to build a safe and effective vaccine arsenal for the whole world. To date, out of the 110 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine we have shared worldwide, 23 million doses have reached Southeast Asia. Today, I respectfully announce that the US will provide Vietnam with 1 million more doses of vaccine and this number of vaccines will be delivered within 24 hours. This is completely a gift, free, un Obligated," said Vice President Harris.
Vice President Kamala Harris also announced that the US has committed to providing 500,000 USD to the ASEAN Fund for COVID-19 response to purchase more vaccines. The US strongly supports ASEAN's central role, including regional health security. In addition, the US has provided more than $150 million in emergency aid to countries in the region for recovery.
The Southeast Asia Regional Office will enhance the CDC's capacity to respond to the task of protecting the people of the US and people in the region by responding to health threats more quickly, while building important connections to address common health priorities.
The CDC plays a particularly appropriate role in strengthening US cohesion and cooperation with Southeast Asian leaders to improve regional capacity in preventing, detecting and responding to infectious diseases and other emerging health threats.
Priorities for the CDC Office for Southeast Asia include: Building a public health force for the future, expanding training and coaching for public health testing facilities in the region, developing innovation programs to improve the health of mobile and migratory population groups, ensuring synchronous coordination in responding to public health emergencies through a network of Emergency Management Centers, and strengthening an early warning system to detect emerging and animal-based infectious diseases.
