A-G virtually chairs the Small States Forum
Attorney-General Aiyaz SayedKhaiyum has virtually chaired a Small States Forum while being in quarantine as he is recuperating from a major medical procedure. During his opening remarks at the forum, the A-G said that he did not want to miss this opportunity to highlight how tough this year has been for all of us and how defining the next year would be for our place in the post-pandemic future.
“This is actually my first day working again and I’m feeling quite well. So, here’s to hoping my own recovery bodes well for our economies,” the A-G said.
He highlighted that the key short-term priority for Small States now, beyond the critical question of appropriate access to concessional finance, is to ensure that our economies are well prepared to return to normal and that we can adequately address any scarring that the crisis might leave.
“Of course, access to vaccines and practical options for Small States to carry out successful vaccination programmes will be the most important keys to reopening our economies. Fortunately, vaccines are now being produced and administered around the world. Unfortunately, equity is still missing from the equation,” he said.
He added that Small States began the pandemic at the back of the queue in the nationalistic race for vital PPE, ventilators, and COVID tests.
The world is in a better place now, but the situation for Small States looks eerily familiar.