Chair,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the EU and its Member States;

The candidate countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania[1], Ukraine and Georgia as well as the EFTA country Norway, member of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this statement.

on the use of the term “those in vulnerable situations” in several draft resolutions submitted for consideration and approval by the 77^th session of the WHA, namely:

Social participation for universal health coverage, health and well-being; Climate and health, Economics of Health for All; Strengthening Health Emergency Preparedness for Disasters Resulting from Natural Hazards and the resolution on Increasing availability, ethical access and oversight of transplantation of human cells, tissues and organs

EU has consistently proposed, argued and called for the use of terminology that unambiguously articulates the understanding that all human rights, including the right to health, are universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated.

Although persons in a vulnerable situation can be considered as specific segments of society according to a particular attribute that characterizes their vulnerability, they still enjoy their human rights in individual capacity. Therefore, the EU understands the expression “those in vulnerable situations” as used in the texts of the aforementioned resolutions to be referring solely to persons in vulnerable situations, following the rights-based person-centred approach.

The EU's present explanation of position does not intend to affect the consensus reached on the respective texts

We kindly request this EoP to be included in the records of the WHA 77 session with respect to the mentioned WHA resolutions.

Thank you, Chairperson!

[1] North Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.