Pacific Rim leaders agree to increasing vaccine access, not to US hosting talks

Pacific Rim leaders at the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum agreed to increasing coronavirus vaccine access but not to the U.S. hosting the forum in 2023.

The forum is being held virtually, with New Zealand hosting the discussions. The 21 countries in attendance discussed a variety of issues, such as vaccine access, climate change and who will host the event in two years, The Associated Press reported.

The countries agreed there needed to be more equitable access to the vaccines, improved trade and reduced tariffs for vaccines and medical supplies, expanded vaccine manufacturing, and shared of vaccine production technology.

The group also expressed a desire for trade ministers at the upcoming World Trade Organization ministerial meeting to develop a multilateral strategy to combat the coronavirus.

A Southeast Asian delegate discussed the forum with the AP under the condition of anonymity, saying leaders could not reach agreement on the U.S. hosting talks due to opposition from Russia, according to the AP.

Russia wants the U.S. to allow diplomats who have been blacklisted to attend the talks, but the U.S. said its security is “non-negotiable.

The delegate said China did not object or offer comment when the U.S. offered to host the future forum.

The objection from Russia also comes as tensions have risen between the U.S. and Russia over Ukraine.