Good morning, good afternoon and good evening,
Over the past two weeks, health leaders from around the world gathered in Geneva for the annual World Health Assembly.
There were many significant resolutions and decisions taken on the vast array of issues on which WHO works.
This includes behavioural sciences; best buys for noncommunicable diseases; diagnostics; disabilities; drowning prevention; emergency, critical and operative care; food micronutrients; indigenous health; infection prevention and control; maternal and child health; medical oxygen; primary health care; refugee and migrant health; rehabilitation; traditional medicine, WHO's work on emergencies; and much more.
The approval of the budget for 2024-25, including the 20% increase in assessed contributions, and support for an investment round, are landmark agreements in our shared efforts towards a stronger, more effective and empowered WHO.
And the year ahead offers several opportunities to make further progress.
In particular, the high-level meetings in September on universal health coverage, tuberculosis and pandemic preparedness and response at the UN General Assembly are major opportunities to catalyze political commitment.
Likewise, the continuing negotiations on the pandemic accord and amendments to the International Health Regulations are an unprecedented opportunity for us all to learn from the successes and failures of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
There are several key points worth repeating to avoid misconceptions.
First, this accord is a generational opportunity that we must seize. We are the generation that lived through the COVID-19 pandemic, so we must be the generation that learns the lessons it taught us, and makes the changes to keep future generations safer.
Second, the two processes are negotiated by Member States for Member States, and will - if enacted - be implemented in Member States in accordance with their own laws.
Third, all Member States will retain their own sovereignty to set their own domestic health policies.
The idea that this accord or the amended International Health Regulations will cede sovereignty to WHO is simply bogus. WHO will not gain any power to override domestic policy decisions. Nor would we want to.
I know the journalists listening to this briefing are largely health and science journalists who have a deeper understanding of health and understand how an accord can help bolster our collective pandemic defences.
So, I ask you to keep following the facts about these two processes, to dispel myths and to inform your colleagues on the news and editorial desks so there is accurate reporting.
These processes represent a serious commitment from all 194 WHO Member States towards their populations, and we cannot let mis- and disinformation jeopardize them.
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Next to some good news on the outbreaks of Marburg virus disease in Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania.
Today, Tanzania declared its outbreak over, 42 days after the last patient tested negative for the second time.
The outbreak in Equatorial Guinea is also expected to be declared over next week, if no further cases are detected.
WHO will continue to support both countries to strengthen their outbreak prevention and preparedness activities.
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Now to the greater Horn of Africa, which faces a deepening hunger and health crisis.
The region comprises 7 countries - Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda - and is already in the midst of the worst drought on record.
In the first half of this year, heavy downpours on the baked earth have caused flash floods in parts of Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia and displaced thousands of people.
Floods increase the risk of water and mosquito-borne diseases in a region already impacted by malaria, cholera and other infectious diseases.
53 million people - 1 in 6 - are facing crisis levels of hunger.
WHO and our partners are on the ground, ensuring access to basic health services; providing treatment to severely malnourished children; and helping countries detect, prevent and respond to disease outbreaks.
But a lack of resources is hindering our response. Under our Health Emergency Appeal for 2023, WHO is asking for 178 million U.S. dollars to enable us to deliver urgently needed, life-saving medical aid. We face critical funding gaps, and we urge donors to be generous.
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In Sudan the situation has been compounded by violence.
Fighting, which started on the 15th of April, is continuing for a seventh week.
People are dying because they can't access hospitals and receive the care they need to treat injuries or the medicines they need to treat chronic diseases, such as diabetes or hypertension.
Women cannot safely deliver their babies and children are dying of malnutrition and dehydration.
With the upcoming rainy season, there is an increased risk of outbreaks of waterborne and mosquito-borne diseases.
Since the beginning of the conflict over 1.6 million people have been displaced, both internally and to neighbouring countries.
WHO is working closely with health authorities in neighbouring countries to provide care to refugees.
Health workers, supplies and facilities continue to be targeted.
Since the fighting started, WHO has verified 46 attacks on health care leading to 8 deaths and 18 injuries. 16 of these attacks took place after the signing of the Jeddah declaration to protect civilians on the 11th of May.
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This is unacceptable.
Along with other humanitarian agencies, WHO has worked to accelerate the distribution of lifesaving medical supplies.
We have sent a total of 170 metric tons of medical supplies, including for trauma and injuries, chronic and infectious diseases by air, land and sea.
However, limited access and insecurity continue to hamper our efforts to get these supplies to where they can be used to save lives.
We urge all parties in Sudan to resume ceasefire negotiations, stop the fighting, withdraw from health facilities, protect health workers and support the delivery of lifesaving supplies.
Finally, the 4th Health for All Film Festival will have its award ceremony on Tuesday, the 6th of June.
The Health for All Film Festival brings a human face to WHO's scientific work. Listening to the voices of people affected by health issues is a powerful way to raise awareness and improve our understanding of people's experiences.
I congratulate in advance the winners and my thanks to the distinguished members of the jury.
The awards ceremony will be webcast on the WHO website and we invite everyone to join.
Margaret, back to you.
