The United Nations chief urged the world to mark the “heart-wrenching milestone” of 2 million deaths from COVID-19 virus on Friday by acting with far greater solidarity to ensure vaccines are available and affordable in all countries, not just rich nations.

Axar.az reports citing foreign media that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a video message that governments have a responsibility to protect their people, “but `vaccinationalism’ is self-defeating and will delay a global recovery.”

“Science is succeeding — but solidarity is failing,” he warned. “Vaccines are reaching high-income countries quickly, while the world`s poorest have none at all.”

“Sadly, the deadly impact of the pandemic has been made worse by the absence of a global coordinated effort,” he said on Friday.

He also urged rich nations to share excess doses of vaccines, noting that “some countries are pursuing side deals, even procuring beyond need.”