Diolch yn fawr, Dirprwy Lywydd. I'd like to begin my contribution by thanking Plaid Cymru for bringing forward this important topic for debate today. I'm always keen to take the opportunity to thank those across the NHS in Wales and our public services for delivering our world-leading vaccination programme, as referenced in the motion. However, it is clear that not everyone around the world has been fortunate enough to have the same access to vaccinations and other equipment that we've had here in Wales.

Now, throughout the course of responding to COVID-19, it's been clear to all of us that this disease does not respect borders and has had a devastating impact across the whole globe. But we know that this impact has been felt particularly acutely in low-income countries. In 2015, this Senedd broke new ground with our pioneering well-being of future generations Act, and through this Act the Senedd legislated to require certain public bodies, including the Welsh Government, to work towards realising a globally responsible Wales. And this has perhaps never been more important than it has over the course of grappling with COVID-19.

Many countries, particularly in Africa, are still experiencing repeated waves of infection sweeping through their communities, every time raising the likelihood of new variants emerging. And if we are truly to call ourselves a globally responsible nation, we have to look for opportunities to give people the tools to help them out in difficult times. Given that, as so many people have said today, nobody is safe until everyone is safe, it's vital that everybody in the world, wherever they are, has access to the support that they need to protect themselves against COVID-19. And it's for this reason that we're pleased to support today's motion.

Of course, given that vaccines are procured on a UK-wide basis, matters such as the distribution of vaccines internationally are for the UK Government. However, alongside the other UK nations, I've met with the UK Government's vaccines Minister and the Secretary of State for Health on a regular basis, where I've advocated for further donations to COVAX. In particular, we've pressed UK Government Ministers to donate vaccine supplies to African countries with whom we've developed strong links, like Uganda, Lesotho and Namibia. For our part, we're closely monitoring our vaccine requirements to ensure that excess doses of vaccine don't accumulate in Wales when they could be made better use of in COVAX.

Alongside this work, the Welsh Government has worked in other ways to help those with whom we've developed international links to respond to COVID-19, in response to our duty to be a globally responsible nation. For example, in September this year, the Welsh Government was proud to donate a substantial amount of surplus PPE equipment to Namibia to help them in their fight against COVID-19. The kit included over 1.1 million face masks, 300,000 lateral flow tests, 500,000 gowns, 100,000 protective aprons and over £1 million-worth of hand sanitiser. This was an excellent example of true partnership working. We all worked together: the Welsh Government, NHS Wales, the Phoenix Project at Cardiff University and the University of Namibia in order to get this PPE to places that had been crying out for support and helping those who are truly in need.