COVID-19 Strategic Global North-South Divide: Access to Knowledge Quadrants Imperatives for Granting the WTO Waiver

Abstract

This article discusses the current controversy at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on the waiver of Intellectual Property Rights for COVID-19 vaccines and personal protective equipment. Predicated on the North-South divide and the need for access to vaccines and personal protective equipment by developing countries, an analysis of both sides of the WTO contention is undertaken against the background of access to knowledge quadrants namely, availability, visibility, accessibility, and impact. Arguments are framed around the Ubuntu and Utilitarianism which support the notion that no one is safe until we are all safe.