CAIRO- 3 December 2020:  Egyptian Ambassador in Seoul Hazem Fahmy has discussed at a meeting with Director General of the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) Jerome H. Kim means of boosting bilateral and multilateral cooperation, especially in light of the global outbreak of coronavirus.

The meeting comes after Egypt's ratification of a convention on joining the Seoul-based IVI, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement Thursday.

During the meeting, the IVI chief said Egypt has the capability to produce vaccines, praising in this regard the health ministry's relevant efforts, the statement added.

Kim also paid tribute to late Egyptian scientist Adel Mamoun, who was a member at the IVI board of directors, and played a leading role in advancing the institute's work program.

Established in 1997, the IVI comprises 36 member states, along with the World Health Organization (WHO).

The institute has succeeded in developing several vaccines, such as those against schistosomiasis, cholera, typhoid and dengue fever.

It has entered into multiple partnerships with all international coalitions, in addition to governmental and non-governmental organizations to develop vaccines against the coronavirus pandemic