BRINDISI, Italy — Saudi Arabia is prepared to serve as a regional hub for the production of COVID-19 vaccines and other medicines and supplies, as well as for logistics activities, said General Supervisor of the King Center Salman Relief and Humanitarian Action (KSRelief) Abdullah Al-Rabeeah on Wednesday.

He noted that many countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa are still suffering from high rates of COVID-19 spread and that glaring inequities in vaccine supply meant that sufficient vaccine supplies have reached very few countries worldwide.

Al-Rabeeah, who is also an adviser at the Royal Court, made the remarks during a ministerial meeting entitled “The role of logistics in preparedness and response for COVID-19 pandemic and future humanitarian and health crises” being held in the Italian city of Brindisi.

The meeting seeks to turn the spotlight onto the role played by logistics in the global response to the COVIDE-19 pandemic and future humanitarian and health crises.

Al-Rabeeah also said that the challenge posed by the coronavirus pandemic requires us to work together to ensure a coordinated and organized global response in order to protect the largest possible number of lives.

He stressed that finding closer cooperation among international communities in all aspects of health, humanitarian and development programs and logistical services is a must.

“We are all aware that the world is facing unexpected challenges that came as a result of the global health emergency that began in the year 2020 and caused a devastating impact on economies, health systems, education, governance and social structures, hitting hard the most vulnerable groups in societies such as children, women and the elderly and those who suffer from hunger, conflict and natural disasters,” Al-Rabeeah added.

He also remarked on “the sad reality that most (countries) are still suffering from high rates of spread, hospitalizations and deaths” and stressed that “increasing the access of all countries to vaccines is key to achieving global control over COVID-19...learning from the lessons (of COVID-19) is essential (when planning to address) future outbreaks.”

“Saudi Arabia strongly encourages regionalization of pertinent industries — particularly in the Middle East, Africa and Asia,” Al Rabeeah stated.

“Regional production of COVID-19 vaccines and other medicines and supplies would not only provide more vaccine availability but would also create job opportunities and boost the ability of regional health care systems to control their own vaccine distribution and delivery. This approach would apply not only to vaccines and treatment medications but also to all other necessary equipment and supplies, such as PPE for hospital staff and the general public, ventilators, medical gases, etc.” In this regard, Dr. Al Rabeeah emphasized that the Kingdom was uniquely equipped to become such a regional hub, and that other countries could be identified to serve their surrounding populations.

He added that since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia had invested a total of USD 713 million to support the global fight against COVID-19, including donations to Gavi, the COVAX Facility and CEPI. “KSrelief has also delivered bilateral assistance to a number of countries, including Yemen, Syria and Sudan, and aid to others via third-country delivery points.”

Dr. Al Rabeeah also highlighted the Kingdom’s ongoing support for refugee communities worldwide, including extensive pandemic assistance to Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, Syrian refugees in Lebanon and Jordan, and a number of other refugee groups with concentrations in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Over the past three decades, Saudi Arabia has provided USD 17 billion in support for refugees both internationally and for those living in Saudi Arabia.

Dr. Al Rabeeah stressed that “unless all of us are safe, none of us are safe”, adding that this truth applies “to all future disease outbreaks that occur anywhere in the world.” He called for the vital need “for all countries to contribute financially to global solutions for global pandemics because no country is immune to the threat of future diseases such as COVID-19.”

“We must find ways,” he added, “to increase the donor base for developing reliable, effective pandemic preparedness and logistics systems, and Saudi Arabia can be a potential hub for such activities.”

In his conclusion, Dr. Al Rabeeah stated that he was looking forward to the discussions that would take place during the event, and to address the results at the G20 Summit on Oct. 30-31, 2021.