Phone conversation held between Foreign Minister Gyawali and US Deputy Secretary of State on vaccine supply to Nepal

KATHMANDU: Nepal has urged the United States to prioritize the supply of vaccines against COVID-19 in Nepal.

The request was made by Foreign Minister Pradip Kumar Gyawali in a telephone conversation with US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy R Sherman on Monday morning. The United States has said it will provide 80 million vaccines to foreign countries.

Minister Gyawali had asked to provide the necessary vaccine to the people waiting for the second dose.

According to a statement issued by the State Department, the United States has responded positively to Nepal’s request.

During the dialogue, Sherman promised that the Biden administration will help Nepal against the COVID pandemic and other socio-economic issues.

Minister Gyawali also thanked the United States for providing much-needed health care against the pandemic. Deputy Secretary of State Sherman also said that the implementation of the US project in the pipeline would further deepen the friendly relations between the two countries.

The two countries have agreed to work together on climate change in the context of the Everest Dialogue Conference to be hosted by Nepal in October. The two countries have also agreed to forge an economic partnership to boost the economy from the damage caused by COVID-19.

Minister Gyawali and Deputy Secretary  Sherman also agreed to move forward with bilateral and multilateral dimensions of mutual interest, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The United States has this year supplied essential health supplies, including oxygen cylinders, ventilators, and concentrators.

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