World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that the world remains "insufficiently prepared" to prevent, prepare for, and respond to pandemics. He made this remark ahead of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High-Level Week. In a post on X, Tedros emphasized that leaders need to turn their "political commitments into action" and complete the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing Annex to the Pandemic Agreement.
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. The General Assembly will bring together presidents, prime ministers, and senior representatives from all 193 UN member states to outline their priorities and positions on major international issues.
The UN General Assembly's high-level week will 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. This year's high-level week comes as world leaders prepare to gather at the UN headquarters for the annual high-level General Debate, scheduled from September 22 to 28.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for hope and continued efforts towards a better world as he prepares to attend his last UN General Assembly as UN chief. In a post on X, Guterres said that despite global challenges, people must choose to be hopeful, not hopeless. He emphasized that the fight for a better world for all is crucial now more than ever.
From the Indian side, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is scheduled to participate and deliver an address at the UN General Assembly. According to the United Nations, the 81st session will focus on revitalizing global cooperation, advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, and promoting collective action for peace, dignity, and equality.
The WHO chief's remarks come as a reminder of the need for global cooperation in addressing pandemics. The world has witnessed the devastating impact of pandemics, and there is a growing recognition of the need for collective action to prevent and respond to such crises. The completion of the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing Annex to the Pandemic Agreement is seen as a crucial step in this direction.
The high-level week of the UN General Assembly will provide a critical platform for leaders to discuss and address pressing global issues. As the world grapples with multiple challenges, the need for cooperation, solidarity, and collective action has never been more urgent. The WHO chief's call for action serves as a reminder of the need for leaders to work together to build a safer, more equitable, and more sustainable world.
Key points
- WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warns that the world remains "insufficiently prepared" to prevent, prepare for, and respond to pandemics.
