Gordon Brown chosen by WHO to raise money for Covid vaccines for poorer nations
The former Prime Minister has been campaigning for global vaccination
Last updated 20th Sep 2021
Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has been has appointed as an ambassador for global health financing by the World Health Organisation, to help find the money to rollout Covid vaccination programmes in the poorest countries.
Mr Brown, who lives in Fife, has been campaigning for wealthy nations and the private sector to ensure the equitable distribution of Covid-19 vaccines, especially in poorer countries, to help end the pandemic globally.
Mr Brown said: "Our immediate task is to work together to finance the vaccination of the whole world and protect the poorest countries from the terrible effects of Covid-19 and other diseases.''
Pressure on the World's richest nations
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, praised commented: "I am delighted and honoured that Gordon Brown has agreed to serve as WHO ambassador for global health financing.
"In this role, he will elevate and support WHO's work to raise awareness internationally on the great need for sustained global health financing, particularly from G20 and G7 countries.
"As a longtime friend of Gordon's, I know that he will bring his sharp intellect, firm commitment and deep sense of justice to this ambassadorship.''
Mr Brown continued: "I have a tremendous personal regard for Dr Tedros with whom I first worked two decades ago, and I am delighted to be able to help his and WHO's work raising global finance to ensure everyone has access to health."