Thank you, Dame Barbara.
Excellencies, dear colleagues and friends, thank you for joining us today.
We are honoured to be joined by their Excellencies, Secretary Becerra, Minister Lyonpo, Ambassador Hilale, Co-Chairs Assiri and Driece, Dr Alakija and my brother Dr Al-Mandhari.
As we mark WHO’s 75th birthday, the COVID-19 pandemic was a stark reminder of the words of our Constitution, that “The health of all peoples is fundamental to the attainment of peace and security and is dependent upon the fullest co-operation of individuals and States”.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Member States have initiated several complementary processes to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response so that the world does not repeat the same mistakes that were made during this pandemic.
We appreciate that the ongoing processes are as inclusive with the broadest participation of Member States and relevant stakeholders.
WHO has proposed to Member States a framework for action for stronger governance, stronger financing, stronger systems and tools, and a stronger WHO at the centre of the global health architecture.
This includes work across five core areas. This morning I talked about the “five Ps”; these are the “five Cs”: collaborative surveillance, community protection, safe and scalable clinical care, access to countermeasures, and emergency coordination.
Today, I have four requests for you:
First, I urge you to deliver the pandemic accord on time, as a generational commitment. The next pandemic will not wait for us. We must be ready.
Second, I urge you to focus on bold amendments to the International Health Regulations, to improve their implementation. We must seize this opportunity.
Third, I urge you to ensure that any outcome of the High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response in September supports and does not undermine the Member State-led processes in Geneva.
And fourth, I urge you to keep WHO at the centre of the global health architecture, and equity as the driving force for change.
In a world of overlapping and converging crises, we need an effective architecture for health emergency preparedness and response that will address not only the pandemics of the future, but health emergencies of all kinds.
As we recover from the collective trauma of COVID-19, we must work together to build a new future that is equitable, inclusive and coherent.
I thank you.