The statement by the Friends of the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access (COVAX) Facility came as part of ongoing international efforts to launch a multilateral platform aimed at securing safe and fair access to and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.

"The Friends of the COVAX Facility strongly support vaccine multilateralism and the goal of ensuring affordable, fair and equitable access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines for all," the statement read.

It also called for other countries to join the initiative.

The COVAX Facility is a multilateral initiative aimed at securing vaccine availability, along with Gavi (the Vaccine Alliance) and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).

Fourteen countries, including South Korea, Australia, Canada, Singapore, Switzerland and Japan, plus the European Union, have formed a consultative "Friends" group so as to facilitate the launch of the COVAX Facility as a multilateral platform. One of the COVAX Facility's goals is to deliver 2 billion doses of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines by 2021.