Our Co-Chairs Anne-Claire and Precious,
Our Vice-Chairs, Ambassador Tovar, Ambassador Ramadan, Dr Viroj and Ms Davies,
Excellencies, dear colleagues and friends,
Let me begin by thanking you all for your hard work over the past week, and for your continuing commitment to this process.
You have made progress – maybe not as much as you would have hoped.
As you know, we are at a crucial point, as you move to finalize the Pandemic Agreement in time for the World Health Assembly.
You have one week of formal negotiations left. Many of you said five days.
But, you are so close. Closer than you think.
You are on the cusp of making history.
This Agreement should not fail on a word. It should not fail on a comma. And it should not fail on a percentage.
You have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to contribute to protecting future generations from the impact of future pandemics.
History will not forgive us if we fail to deliver on the mandate.
The world needs a sign that multilateralism still works. Reaching a WHO Pandemic Agreement in the current geopolitical environment is that sign of hope.
As you conclude your work this week, I leave you with two messages to take home with you:
First, we believe you can do it. As I said on Monday, it really is a case of now or never
Second, I urge you not to wait until April to resolve the outstanding issues. Use every opportunity during the intersessional period to come closer together towards finding common ground. I’m glad to see that’s what you have agreed.
Do not let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
Next Thursday, the 27th of February, marks the 20th anniversary of the entry into force of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
There were those who said the FCTC would never happen; that it was too ambitious.
The tobacco industry tried to undermine it by spreading false information.
But they didn’t succeed.
In the same way, there are those who say the Pandemic Agreement cannot succeed, or who do not want it to succeed.
There are those who spread mis- and disinformation, spreading false claims that it will cede sovereignty to WHO. The agreement is very clear about sovereignty issues.
They will not succeed either.
Since the Framework Convention entered into force, tobacco use has declined by one-third globally, and 5.6 billion people are now protected by at least one comprehensive tobacco control measure.
Twenty years ago, Member States made the world safer from tobacco. This year, you can make the world safer from pandemics.
Once again, thank you for your continuing commitment to this historic effort.
As always, the Secretariat is here to provide whatever support you need to help you reach the finish line. We are at your disposal.
Thank you, and I wish you a safe trip home.
