WTO calls for agreement for fair access to COVID-19 jabs

GENEVA: The World Trade Organization chief called on Wednesday for international agreement on how to ensure more equal access to COVID-19 vaccines, amid an ongoing standoff over a proposed patent waiver for the jabs.

The global trade body has for months been facing calls led by India and South Africa to temporarily remove the intellectual property protections on COVID-19 vaccines, in a move proponents say would help boost production in developing countries that so far have received far fewer jabs. While the positions on waiving patent rights remain divided, WTO spokesman Keith Rockwell told reporters that Wednesday's discussions on the proposal had been"very constructive".

Among other things, he said, India and South Africa had said they plan to"revise their proposal", with a new text expected next week with possible"compromises".

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