The discovery of the Covid-19 Omicron/ B1.1.529 variant - first identified in South Africa but now rapidly spreading in Europe and beyond - is a wake-up call for governments everywhere that no one is safe until everyone is safe.
That only 11% of the population in African countries is fully vaccinated is endangering the health of billions as well as hampering the economic and social recovery.
As mayors of African and European cities we are leading the frontline response to the Covid-19 pandemic. We can make a real difference to minimise the impact of Covid-19 in our cities, but only if and when all urban residents in Africa and Europe have equal access to vaccines.
We ask global leaders to take urgent action to improve access to vaccines for all and specifically to accelerate vaccination in Africa, where rates are the lowest in the world.
Mayor Yvonne Aki- Sawyerr – Freetown, Sierra Leone
Mayor Giuseppe Sala – Milan, Italy
Mayor Ada Colau – Barcelona, Spain
Mayor Jefferson Koijee – Monrovia, Liberia
Mayor Carlos Moedas – Lisbon, Portugal
Mayor Fabrice Rulinda – Entebbe, Uganda
Lord Mayor Alison Gilliland – Dublin, Ireland
Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago – Kampala, Uganda
Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda – Ethekwini (Durban), South Africa
Mayor Marvin Rees – Bristol, United Kingdom
Lord Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda – Kanifing, The Gambia
Mayor Mathias De Clercq – Ghent, Belgium
Lord Mayor Peter Feldmann – Frankfurt, Germany
Mayor Benoît Payan – Marseille, France
Mayor Matteo Lepore – Bologna, Italy
Mayor Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol – Rouen, France
Mayor Elizabeth Sackey – Accra, Ghana
Mayor Sébastien Eugène – Château-Thierry, France
Mayor Éric Piolle – Grenoble, France
Mayor Verena Dietl – Munich, Germany
Supporting organisations
Global Parliament of Mayors – The Hague, the Netherlands
All African and European city mayors are warmly encouraged to join this call. Please contact [email protected] to add your name.