Geneva: The world remains ‘insufficiently prepared” to prevent, prepare for and respond to pandemics, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the World Health Organization (WHO), said on Monday.
His message came ahead of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High-Level Week.
“Next week at #UNGA, world leaders will meet to renew their commitments to prevent, prepare for and respond to pandemics. The political declaration is clear: the world remains insufficiently prepared,” Ghebreyesus posted on X, as reported by ANI.
Leaders need to turn “political commitments into action, and complete the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing Annex to the Pandemic Agreement”, he said.
In 2020-21, over 7.1 million confirmed Covid-19 deaths were reported to the WHO. The organisation had estimated about 14.9 million excess deaths globally.
The 81st session of the UN General Assembly is being held under the theme “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.” Bangladesh’s Khalilur Rahman is presiding over the session.
Presidents, prime ministers and senior representatives from all 193 UN member states will come together at the event and outline their priorities and positions on major international issues.
United Nations secretary general Antonio Guterres had earlier called for hope and continued efforts towards a better world as he prepares to attend his last UN General Assembly (UNGA) as UN chief.
“As I prepare for my last UNGA as @UN Secretary-General, I’ve been reflecting on the global challenges people face. In these difficult times, we have to choose to be hopeful, not hopeless. We cannot give up fighting for a better world for all – now more than ever,” Guterres had posted on X.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is scheduled to participate and deliver an address at the UN General Assembly.
The 81st session will focus on revitalising global cooperation, advancing the sustainable development goals and promoting collective action for peace, dignity and equality, the UN has said.
The high-level week will also feature discussions on global conflicts, development, climate change, humanitarian challenges and other pressing international issues.
The General Debate is expected to provide a major platform for leaders to present their foreign policy priorities and engage on key global developments.