My sister Yodi,
Former Prime Minister Helen Clark,
Director-General Sandra Gallina,
Dear colleagues and friends,
Guten abend, it’s a pleasure to be here.
Let me start by thanking Yodi for her work and achievements on behalf of the ACT Accelerator.
Over the past few weeks, I have said that we have never been in a better position to end the pandemic.
After almost three years in this long, dark tunnel, we are beginning to glimpse the light at the end.
But of course, that doesn’t mean we’re at the end. The pandemic is far from over.
As we enter the northern hemisphere winter, infections and hospitalizations are increasing in Europe.
This is despite a significant drop in surveillance and testing in many countries.
The global situation remains fragile, even as much of the world has lifted measures to limit transmission.
And even as infections rise, the deaths don’t have to, given we have the tools to prevent severe disease and death.
Globally, over 75% of at-risk populations have been vaccinated, but in low-income countries, it’s only about 40%.
Our job is clear: we must vaccinate all at-risk populations fast, to reduce hospitalizations and deaths.
Furthermore, we must work to increase equitable access to oral antivirals, and support countries to use these life-saving treatments in combination with testing.
As countries move from managing COVID-19 as an acute emergency to integrating it into routine health services, the ACT Accelerator partnership is also transitioning.
ACT-A will continue to support country needs, while maintaining readiness to respond to a surge of COVID-19.
Ensuring equitable access to medical countermeasures is a key part of the ongoing development of the global health architecture for health emergency preparedness and response.
The work of the ACT Accelerator shows that partnership brings results.
By working together, with countries, global health partners, civil society, industry, and communities, we have shown that together we are more than the sum of our parts.
My message today is one of hope: we can end the pandemic. It’s in sight.
But now is the time to run with even more determination, to protect the hard-fought gains we have made, and build a safer future, together.
I thank you.