WHO Director-General Commends UAE for Crucial Role in International Emergency Response
Dubai, The Gulf Observer: Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), delivered a keynote address on the opening day of the World Governments Summit (WGS) 2024, shedding light on the world’s inadequate readiness to handle emergencies and crises. In his speech titled ‘A Pact with the Future: Why the Pandemic Agreement is Mission-Critical for Humanity,’ Dr. Ghebreyesus emphasized the ongoing repercussions of COVID-19 and expressed concerns about unmet terms under the ‘Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response Accord’ signed in Geneva in 2021.
Commending the UAE’s commitment to health priorities in its climate action agenda, particularly highlighted during the COP28 UN Climate Change Conference in December 2023, Dr. Ghebreyesus extended gratitude for the UAE’s support for the WHO Global Logistics Hub in Dubai. The hub played a pivotal role in distributing medical supplies to 81 countries worldwide, supporting emergency situations affecting 50 million people.
Addressing the ongoing crisis in Gaza, Dr. Ghebreyesus stressed the critical role of the WHO Global Logistics Hub in delivering medical supplies to the region and called for safe access for humanitarian personnel, release of hostages held by Hamas, and a ceasefire.
Reflecting on the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Ghebreyesus reiterated his earlier prediction of a pandemic and emphasized that despite progress in various areas, the world remains unprepared. He underlined the significance of the international agreement on pandemic preparedness and response, expressing concerns about unresolved issues among countries as the May 2024 deadline approaches.
Dismissing rumors about WHO’s intentions to dominate the world and impose restrictions, Dr. Ghebreyesus affirmed the organization’s commitment to evidence-based guidance, advice, and support for governments, while respecting their decisions.
In conclusion, he called for a united front against lies and misinformation, advocating for international cooperation, equity, and solidarity. Dr. Ghebreyesus urged the current generation, which lived through COVID-19, to fulfill its collective responsibility in protecting future generations from similar suffering.
The 11th edition of the World Governments Summit 2024 brings together a prestigious gathering of 85 international organizations, 140 governments, over 25 heads of state, 700 leaders of major international companies, and more than 4,000 experts and officials.
