WHO chief warns of next global outbreak, calls on countries to sign pandemic deal at 2024 World Government Summit in Dubai
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Dubai: The director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday issued a stark warning about the imminent threat of a next pandemic during his speech at the 2024 World Government Summit in Dubai and called on countries to hand over the ‘ Pandemic Agreement’ to effectively contain future outbreaks.
Speaking on “A Pact with the Future: Why Pandemic Agreement is Critical for Humanity,” Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus recalled how he had warned the world six years ago at WGS 2018 that a pandemic could strike at any time. and that the world was not ready.
Dr Tedros said: “As you may remember, less than two years later, in December 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic struck and the world was indeed unprepared. Today I stand before you after COVID-19, with millions of people dead, with social, economic and political shocks that reverberate to this day.”
Despite some progress, including increased surveillance and vaccine production, he noted that the world remains ill-prepared for future pandemics.
“The painful lessons we learned risk being forgotten, as attention focuses on the many other crises facing our world. But if we don’t learn those lessons, we will pay dearly next time. And there will be a next time. History teaches us that the next pandemic is a question of when, not if,” said Dr Tedros.
‘Disease
“The next pandemic may be caused by an influenza virus or a new coronavirus or it may be caused by a new pathogen that we don’t even know about yet, or what we call Disease a new disease. But there will be another Disease “If it came tomorrow, we would face many of the same problems we faced with COVID 19.”
15 week period
Reflecting on the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, he said it was for this reason that in December 2021, WHO member states met in Geneva and agreed to develop an international agreement on pandemic preparedness and response, a legally binding agreement to work together. to keep themselves and others safe. Countries set a deadline to complete the agreement in time for its adoption at the World Health Assembly in May this year.
Reminding that there are only 15 weeks left, Dr. Tedros urged countries to prioritize the finalization and adoption of the international agreement.
Calling the misinformation and conspiracy theories surrounding the deal lies, Dr Tedros clarified that it does not give the WHO any power over sovereign states. Instead, he reaffirms national sovereignty and encourages collaboration between countries to strengthen health systems and share vital resources.
He urged policymakers and leaders to seize the opportunity to safeguard the health and well-being of future generations, highlighting the importance of collective responsibility in building a healthier, safer and more just world.
“Now is the time to say no to inequality, no to lies and misinformation. And yes to international cooperation, yes to equity and yes to solidarity,” he stated.
Thanking the United Arab Emirates
Dr Tedros took the opportunity to thank UAE leaders for putting health high on the climate agenda during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai last year.
“It was the first of its kind and thanks to the UAE for being a pioneer. 147 countries signed the COP28 UAE Declaration on Climate and Health, recognizing that the climate crisis is a health crisis.”
He also thanked the United Arab Emirates for its support of the WHO global logistics center in Dubai, saying it has become an essential part of the WHO’s operational response to health emergencies around the world.
“Last year, we distributed medical supplies to 50 million people in emergency situations in 81 countries in all regions of the world… Since the center opened in 2015 in Dubai, it has expanded seven times, from 3,000 to 20,000 square meters,” he said. added the CEO.
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