Sustainability / Social
Jotun supports the COVAX programme
Jotun donated NOK five million to UNICEF and the COVAX programme to ensure equitable global
access to vaccines.
Since the spring of 2019, the global coronavirus pandemic
has not only resulted in illness and mortality but has also had
a significant impact on healthcare systems, global supply
chain networks and local economies, disrupting the lives of
billions of people around the world. While vaccines are now
widely available in most developed countries, there are many
countries were supplies and distribution capacity are limited.
GLOBAL ACTION
As a global company, Jotun recognises that until vaccinations
are widely available to everyone, no one is safe. In 2021, Jotun
provided support to United Nations International Children’s
Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and partners to ensure that no
country is left behind. Jotun’s donation is consistent with
the company’s commitment to UN Sustainable Development
Goals, specifically goal number 3 (Good health and wellbeing)
and goal number 10 (Reduced inequality).
COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) is a global
initiative to ensure equitable access to vaccines. Directed by
the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations (GAVI),
the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI)
and the World Health Organisation (WHO), COVAX is one
of the three pillars of the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT)
Accelerator. The ACT Accelerator is a ground-breaking global
collaboration to accelerate the development, production and
equitable access to COVID-19 tests, treatments and vaccines.
The role of UNICEF and other partners is to purchase, store,
transport and distribute the vaccines to 92 low- and mediumincome
countries.
HISTORIC EFFORT
Equitable access to vaccines, particularly to protect
healthcare workers and those most at risk, is the only way to
mitigate the public health and economic impact of COVID-19
and variants. By donating to the COVAX programme, Jotun is
contributing to the largest vaccine procurement and supply
operations in history.
Jotun Group Report 2021 I 63