Global Vaccination as a Path to Equity
David Girling
Senior Advisor and Lead, Private- Sector Partnerships and Strategy, Supply division, UNICEF
The ABLF Talks | The ABLF City | March 9, 2021
Speaker Introduction
David Girling is a senior figure in global humanitarian supply chain strategy, currently serving with the UNICEF Supply Division in Copenhagen. With over two decades at UNICEF and previous experience in commercial marketing and UK NGOs, Mr Girling plays a pivotal role in steering private sector partnerships that support vaccine procurement and delivery across 190 countries. His expertise spans logistics, procurement, and ethical coordination in public health delivery, particularly during crises. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr Girling led UNICEF’s logistical and strategic role in the Covax initiative, one of the most ambitious vaccine distribution efforts in history, underscoring his commitment to equity and global solidarity.
Moderator: Resham Kotecha, Policy and Strategy Specialist, UK
Prepared by: The ABLF Research Council
Date: March 9, 2021
Event: The ABLF Talks, hosted virtually at the ABLF City
Sign in to unlock the library of the ABLF Insightfolio
The ABLF Insightfolio features researched, knowledge-led whitepapers that capture the strategic perspectives and insights of Asia’s foremost thinkers, policymakers, business leaders and social scientists.
Derived from the impact-led dialogues at the ABLF Talks, these policy-shaping documents are designed to inform, inspire, and ignite action across all sectors, from inclusive growth and sustainability to innovation and digital transformation.
Create a free account and gain instant access to our entire collection of Whitepapers and Intelligence Reports.
Executive Summary
At the peak of the COVID-19 crisis, David Girling offered a compelling behind-the-scenes perspective on UNICEF’s mission to deliver life-saving vaccines to the world’s most vulnerable communities. Speaking at the ABLF Talks Live, Mr Girling spotlighted the organization’s critical role in Covax, the global vaccine equity platform co-led with Gavi, CEPI, and WHO. His insights revealed the vast complexity and human urgency of global supply chain coordination, vaccine access, and infrastructure preparedness. More than a logistical exercise, the session demonstrated that vaccine equity is a test of multilateral ethics, requiring deep coordination across public and private actors. It is also a wake-up call to protect progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which risk being derailed by secondary disruptions in education, sanitation, and child health services.
Sign in to unlock the library of the ABLF Insightfolio
The ABLF Insightfolio features researched, knowledge-led whitepapers that capture the strategic perspectives and insights of Asia’s foremost thinkers, policymakers, business leaders and social scientists.
Derived from the impact-led dialogues at the ABLF Talks, these policy-shaping documents are designed to inform, inspire, and ignite action across all sectors, from inclusive growth and sustainability to innovation and digital transformation.
Create a free account and gain instant access to our entire collection of Whitepapers and Intelligence Reports.
Already a Member? LOG IN HERE
