WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation’s (DFC) Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO) Nisha Biswal traveled to Paris on June 20 where she reaffirmed DFC’s commitment to working with the G7, global and regional health stakeholders, and private sector partners to ensure the world is prepared for future health crises and pandemics.
In Paris, DCEO Biswal joined USAID Assistant Administrator for Global Health Dr. Atul Gawande to represent the United States at the Global Forum for Vaccine Sovereignty and Innovation, which was convened and hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, along with leaders from Gavi and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). At the summit, DCEO Biswal attended the launch of Gavi’s African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA), a key innovation in advancing pandemic preparedness, helping vaccine manufacturers on the continent offset costs and increase sustainable vaccine production. AVMA will advance the African Union’s Partnership for African Vaccine Manufacturing goals to manufacture at least 60 percent of all vaccine doses required on the continent by 2040. DFC has worked closely with Gavi to expand vaccine access, including providing thought leadership on the design and development of AVMA.
DCEO Biswal also participated in a series of high-level bilateral meetings with Proparco, Africa CDC, Aspen Pharmacare, and the Institut Pasteur de Dakar, and joined an International Finance Corporation roundtable on vaccine manufacturing. In addition, DCEO Biswal attended the signing of a technology transfer agreement between South African vaccine manufacturer Biovac, and Korean vaccine developer EuBiologics to expand manufacturing capacity for meningitis, cholera, and other critical vaccines.
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The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) partners with the private sector to finance solutions to the most critical challenges facing the developing world today. We invest across sectors including energy, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, and small business and financial services. DFC investments adhere to high standards and respect the environment, human rights, and worker rights.