First lady Kim Jung-sook sent a congratulatory video to the Seoul-based International Vaccine Institute, which held a ceremony on Aug. 10 to welcome its newest member Finland. "Finland is a country that developed friendly cooperation with Korea on many levels," she said. "I am sure Finland will become a strong partner of IVI." (Screen capture from KTV)
By Lee Kyoung Mi and Lee Jihae
First lady Kim Jung-sook on Aug. 10 said, "I am sure Finland will become a strong partner of the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) in the future," commemorating Finland becoming the think tank's 36th member nation.
In a congratulatory video sent to IVI headquarters in Seoul's Gwanak-gu District for a ceremony to welcome Finland's entry, she said, "It is very meaningful that as the first step since my appointment as honorary president of IVI's Korea Support Committee on July 8 this year, I welcomed Finland as an IVI member state."
The ceremony marked Finland becoming the institute's 36th signatory and member state and the fourth financial supporter after Korea, Sweden and India. Finland was also the first to join IVI since India did so in 2012.
"I was deeply moved by Finland's healthcare system that makes nationwide efforts to heal the pain of children," the first lady said. "Finland's meaningful effort is a great strength to resolving the pain of international society."
"Now the entire world is fighting the unpredictable COVID-19 pandemic crisis," she added. "Solidarity and cooperation among all of humanity is desperately needed for swift development of a vaccine and its fair distribution."
"IVI aims to make a healthier tomorrow for humanity by forging Vaccine Solidarity Without Borders in the fight against a virus that knows no borders. I hope Finland’s participation will bring forward the day we see this vision turn into reality."
IVI is an international think tank that develops and distributes vaccines to protect people in developing countries, particularly children, from infectious disease. The think tank is also the first international organization to be based in Korea.
Founded in 1997, the institute has 36 member states including Finland as well as the World Health Organization. Its mission is to research vaccine development and antibiotic resistance.