Csaba Kőrösi, President of the 77th session of the General Assembly

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Multi-stakeholder hearing in preparation of the GA high-level meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response

9 May 2023

(As delivered)

 

Dear Co-Chair. Ms. Joy Phumaphi,

Executive Director of WHO, Michael Ryan,

Excellencies, dear colleagues and friends,

Welcome to you all on behalf of the Office of the President and myself.

We meet, quite literally, at the moment of inflection.

On Friday, WHO declared the COVID-19 pandemic over, allowing us all to breathe a collective sigh of relief.

But it is also a moment of deep reflection.

This long-awaited news comes three years after the deadliest public health threat in modern history ripped across the globe, taking many millions of lives and ruining many gains built over decades.

It should not be forgotten how close we got to the total disruption of our lives – with so many to mourn for, children left without education, families without income and our parents suffering alone. Economies grounded, supply chains interrupted, labor markets destabilised, public trust shattered, and stability undermined.

A form of heritage is the unprecedented level of sovereign debts across the globe.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It was a real introduction to the prototype of the Anthropocene era crisis. Its consequences are still here, with us.

While the darkest days have passed, the questions just continue to linger:

  • When will the next pandemic break out?
  • Where and how will it hit humanity?
  • What can we do to prevent it?

and

  • How should we ensure that it causes the least possible damage to our societies?

Before I go any further, let me take this opportunity to make it clear why we are here today.

This meeting is mandated to prepare for the High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response in September.

It is separate from the ongoing, legally binding process which takes place in Geneva under the auspices of the International Negotiating Body.

We in New York should complement that process, with a focus on a multi-sectoral nature of pandemics.

The fact that there are more than 250 participants here today speaks volumes about the importance you place on finding the answers.

Many of you were on the frontlines during the worst chapters of the COVID crisis.

You were caring for huge numbers of people, leading breakthroughs in science, organizing medical supplies, providing real-time public information, representing community needs and mobilizing funds.

It is thanks to your heroism that our world is emerging more resilient today.

But this is only one part of our global story.

Other pages are filled with unheeded warnings.

Empty supply shelves.

Populations neglected.

Vaccines hoarded – or thrown in the garbage.

We must address the serious shortcomings in our national, regional, and global efforts to prevent another pandemic from taking a similar toll.

As science journalist Ed Yong wrote, “Normal led to this”.

To avert future crises, we should honestly assess every unattended weakness.

We must also make urgent investments, both financial and political, to guarantee that we never again face tragic shortfalls in solidarity.

Because it was creepy and sad to see how quickly COVID nationalism became rampant among most of us.

In short, we have to significantly change our response strategies.

Indeed, COVID has taught us that PPPR goes beyond health.

The pandemic has laid a charge on us to follow a multi-dimensional, whole-of-Government and whole-of-society approach.

Such an approach must target all of the social, economic, political and environmental determinants.

Last but not least, we must recognize what became obvious: that the health of people is intertwined with the health of animals, plants, and our shared environment.

Dear Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen,

We know that the next pandemic, yet of unknown timing, type, size and impact is approaching.

It is a deadly race against time that we must win.

Your help is critical.

You have heard me say time and again: “Governments do not have a monopoly on good ideas.”

Today, Member States would like to hear from you.

Your expertise and perspectives will be highly appreciated.

Thank you very much.