“COVID-19 has been a wake-up call for the entire world: millions of lives have been lost, economies have collapsed, health systems have been pushed to their limits and daily life has been disrupted for many. “all of humanity”, recalled the UN Secretary-General in his message Friday on the occasion of the International Day of Pandemic Preparedness.
Guterres said that although the COVID-19 crisis is over, “the lesson is bitter.”
“The world is woefully unprepared for the next pandemic,” Guterres said on General Assembly Day in December 2020, when humanity was experiencing one of the worst health emergencies in history. ‘history.
Alarming reminders
The UN chief said outbreaks of smallpox, cholera, polio and Marburg virus disease are “alarming reminders” that infectious diseases still pose a real danger to all countries today.
“I urge countries to learn lessons from past health emergencies to better prepare for future ones,” he said on the occasion of the Day, calling for “establishing public health and care systems primary health care systems and deliver on the promise of universal health coverage.
Mr. Guterres urged governments to invest boldly in monitoring, detection and response to pandemics.
Promoting solidarity
The Secretary-General also called for ensuring equitable access to vital resources such as vaccines, treatments and diagnostics.
“More than anything, we need global solidarity,” said Mr. Guterres, calling on countries to respect the historic pandemic agreement so that the world can work more effectively, collectively, to prevent and contain future pandemics. .
“Today, and every day, let us commit to working together for a safer and healthier world for everyone, everywhere,” concluded the UN chief.
