High-level meeting on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response
Statement delivered by the Minister of Health of the Republic of Estonia, Riina Sikkut
New York, 20 September 2023
Mr. President, Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen
The COVID-19 crisis challenged our health systems, societies and economies. It demonstrated how vulnerable and interdependent our societies and economies are, reinforcing the need for global partnerships and multilateral co-operation.
The existing global instruments have not been sufficient in effectively responding to a health and socio-economic crisis with such a global magnitude. The important task ahead of us is to strengthen the global health architecture for the future generations.
The new legally binding instrument will pave the way for a more cohesive international framework, reinforcing global solidarity and mutual trust. At the same time, the critical review of the International Health Regulations should strengthen its implementation and accountability mechanisms.
The Intergovernmental Negotiating Body has made good progress. I reiterate Estonia’s commitment to conclude a legally binding and ambitious pandemic agreement by May 2024.
In relation to the pandemic agreement, I would like to reiterate three important aspects:
First, our focus must be on prevention and preparedness. This requires reinforced One Health approach, strengthened surveillance systems and sustainable funding – both domestically and globally.
The pandemic agreement should complement the existing instruments in a cross-sectorial and OneHealth approach, linking health across the human, animal and the environment spectrum.
Availability and use of real time data for epidemiological surveillance and risk assessment will be needed for better intelligence and foresight to be able to respond swiftly and prevent pandemic threats in the future. Investments are therefore needed in digital technologies and cross-border data exchange.
The Pandemic Fund is a major step in the right direction for ensuring sustainable funding at the global level to support the necessary investments countries need to make to strengthen their national core capacities.
Secondly, the pandemic agreement should reinforce global coordination and solidarity to secure equitable and fair distribution of new vaccines, diagnostics and treatments, once they become available.
Thirdly, the WHO should maintain its central role in preparing and responding to global health emergencies, ensuring coordination across international organisations.
We express our gratitude to the WHO in leading the global health response in the COVID-19 crisis and reiterate the need to further enable and empower the organisation in carrying out its tasks.
I am convinced, that we will cease this historical opportunity to act as a global community, to be better prepared for the future, guided by the principles of greater transparency, accountability, solidarity and equity. We need to act now, building on the political consensus, that the world cannot accept the status quo.
Thank you.
