Prince Harry narrates new video about pandemics for cause close to his heart

Prince Harry has narrated a special video for World AIDS Day.

It's a cause first championed by his mother, Princess Diana, and continued on by the Duke of Sussex.

This year his efforts have been combined with another cause close to his heart —vaccine equity.

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Prince Harry and his wife Meghan have been amongst those leading the charge and putting pressure on the governments of richer countries to help out poorer nations in terms of access to COVID-19 vaccines.

Joining the Duke of Sussex in voicing the new clip is Winnie Byanyima, the executive director of UNAIDS and an Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations.

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Through his charity Sentebale, Prince Harry put out a statement to mark the annual day raising awareness of HIV/AIDS, which first began on December 1, 1988, when the prince was just four years old.

"On this World AIDS Day we recognise the 40 years that have shaped life for many," he said.

"We honour those whose lives have been cut short and reaffirm our commitment to a scientific community that has worked tirelessly against this disease. My mother would be deeply grateful for everything you stand for and have accomplished. We all share that gratitude, so thank you.

"It is striking to now see the world's leading AIDS activists are also leading the call for COVID-19 vaccine equity. Vaccinating the world is a test of our moral character and we are experiencing a spectacular failure when it comes to global vaccine equity. Similar to the AIDS crisis, we've yet again revealed over the past year, that the value of life depends on whether you were born and/or live in a rich nation, or a developing country."

The Duke of Sussex spoke of the new threat posed by the Omicron variant and praised scientist in southern Africa for identifying it and spreading the word.

"While it's too early to know the full extent of the risk that the Omicron variant poses, which we only know about thanks to the experts in Southern Africa identifying it, there is no doubt that its emergence is of deep concern. Now more than ever, the voiceless majority of the world needs to be heard, and the onus is on our leaders to end this pandemic. Anything less is self-defeating."

The royal called for "breaking pharma monopolies that prevent vaccines from getting to communities around the world in need".

He also called on governments to honour "their promises" in delivering doses committed to other countries and doing so on a strict timeline.

"It's time to draw from the lessons we learned throughout the HIV/AIDS pandemic, where millions died unnecessarily due to deep inequities in access to treatment," he added.

Prince Harry and Meghan both spoke about vaccine equity at the Global Citizen event in New York in September.