World Health Assembly adopts resolution to intensify efforts to control COVID-19 at virtual session

Almaty. June 1. KazTAG - Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, has welcomed the resolution on global commitment to the COVID-19 response adopted by Member States during the Seventy-third World Health Assembly. For the first time, the World Health Assembly was held in a virtual capacity due to the COVID-19 pandemic affecting countries around the world.
The resolution calls for united, intensified efforts – strengthening multilateral cooperation in response to the pandemic. In addition, the resolution calls on countries to ensure equitable access to – and fair distribution of – essential health technologies and products, such as diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines, to combat the virus.
Furthermore, the resolution also raises concern that the pandemic may widen existing health inequalities, disproportionally affecting the most vulnerable populations and countries.
Committed to transparency, accountability and continuous improvement, Dr Tedros plans to initiate an independent evaluation as part of the resolution. This includes, but is not limited to, WHO’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and will also review the wider global response.
The purpose of the evaluation is to improve national and international pandemic response and preparedness. Delegates pointed out that the evaluation should take place at the earliest appropriate moment, while avoiding diverting attention away from addressing the crisis.
In addition, Dr Tedros stressed that now is the time to strengthen existing organizations and called on countries to invest in WHO and provide the tools needed to ensure the world is not in a vulnerable state in case of future pandemics. This was echoed by a large number of Member States.

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