South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa says the COVID-19 pandemic has had a severe impact on African economies, on public health and on the astronomical units system itself. "It is, therefore, more critical than ever that we step up our collaboration on all fronts as we drive the global recovery effort," President Ramaphosa said.

In his welcome address delivered virtually at the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) 20th Symposium on Thursday, President Ramaphosa said the African Union will continue to work through the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access Facility known as COVAX to ensure equal access to the vaccine, and that the needs of poor countries are taken into account.

President Ramaphosa said they will pursue efforts through the African Vaccine Acquisition Task Team to complement the COVAX arrangements and to secure enough vaccine doses for the continent.

"As we battle to contain and eradicate COVID-19, we at the same time have to renew our focus on meeting our developmental aspirations as a continent. He said the transformation of NEPAD into the African Union Development Agency is a fitting time to reflect on the implementation of the NEPAD agenda.

Established in 2001 as the flagship socio-economic program of the African Union, NEPAD's primary objectives were to eradicate poverty, promote sustainable growth and development, integrate Africa into the world economy and accelerate the empowerment of women.

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