European Union

Statement

WHO

76^th World Health Assembly

(21-30 May 2023)

________

Item 15.1 - Strengthening WHO preparedness for and response to health emergencies

• Strengthening the global architecture for health emergency preparedness, response and resilience

• Strengthening clinical trials to provide high-quality evidence on health interventions and to improve research quality and coordination

AND

Item 15.2 – WHO’s work in health emergencies

• Implementation of resolution WHA75.11 (2022)

AND

15.3 Global Health for Peace Initiative

________

Geneva, 23 May 2023

EU Grouped Statement

Chair,

Director-General,

Excellencies,

Colleagues,



I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the EU and its Member States.

The candidate countries North Macedonia, Republic of Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina[1] align themselves with this statement.

As we gather today, the health of millions is threatened by overlapping disasters stemming from climate change, infectious disease outbreaks, and soaring rates of malnutrition fuelled by conflict. In this unprecedented moment of intersecting emergencies, let me begin by expressing our deep appreciation for WHO’s work across the world, reaching those most in need with urgent and life-saving support. The tireless efforts of health staff from WHO and its partners operating in 54 emergencies continue to save lives, support recovery efforts, and prevent the spread of diseases within countries and across borders.

We thank the WHO for its rapid action in face of recent crisis in Sudan as well as in the response to the Türkiye and Syria earthquakes earlier this year. As 2023 progresses, Member States have an important role to ensure that the WHO has the necessary means to continue to respond to crises swiftly and effectively when they first arise.

Looking ahead, we support that the WHO acts as an enabler for health and peace in partnership with key actors, to address the health needs of people in conflict affected area. We look forward to the adoption of the roadmap for the Global Health for Peace Initiative. Once adopted, it remains key that health interventions under the GHPI, fully respecting the principles of conflict and gender sensitivity, permeated by “do no harm principles” and guided by community involvement.

Chair,

In our increasingly interconnected world, local events can have far-reaching global consequences. In my own region, the worst war in decades continues to rage to the detriment of the health not only by those directly affected by violence, but of people far beyond Europe. The exacerbation of an already significant global food security crises, as well as the risks of radiological, biological, and chemical events and hazards are some of the wider than regional health and humanitarian impacts resulting from the Russian Federation´s aggression against Ukraine. The extensive health response in host-and refugee receiving countries is another example of the far-reaching effects of this unprovoked, unjustified, and illegal war of aggression which we condemn in the strongest possible terms. We call on the Russian Federation to immediately cease its hostilities, including attacks on health care facilities and health workers.

We welcome the Director General’s updated report and commend the WHO for the commitment to stay and deliver in Ukraine as well as in refugee and host-receiving countries, for as long as it takes. We encourage continued action to mitigate the negative health and humanitarian impacts of Russia’s war and support recurrent reporting on the implementation of the resolution WHA75.11. The disruptions to health service delivery in occupied and recently regained territories as well as in areas close to the combat lines continue to be of specific concern. We ask the DG to continue to pay attention to these specific issues in future reporting on the health emergency in Ukraine, stemming from Russia’s aggression.

Under the guise of neutrality, Russia has presented a draft resolution in an attempt to absolve the Russian Federation of all responsibility for its aggression towards Ukraine and the health emergency it has triggered. We call on all Member States not to support it and to stand in solidarity with Ukraine.

In closing, the EU and its Member States confirm the call to redouble support for diplomatic efforts to achieve a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine consistent with the UN Charter, in line with the UNGA resolution adopted on the 23^rd of February with broad cross-regional support.

As often underlined by the Director General, there cannot be health without peace and there cannot be peace without health. We will continue to stand in solidarity with Ukraine and its people.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We regret the grouping of statements, that makes it necessary to speak on several items in one intervention. I will now turn to item 15.1 - Strengthening WHO preparedness for and response to health emergencies.

Strengthening the prevention, preparedness, and response to health emergencies, with WHO playing a central and coordinating role, while collaborating with all relevant partners to enhance efficiency, coherence and avoid duplication is crucial.

The EU remains committed to and calls on WHO Member States to:

1. Craft an ambitious Pandemic Agreement by May 2024, achieving tangible results for the common good. Convergence among all member states is necessary. Likewise, core capacities outlined in the IHR must be strengthened and implemented. These two legal instruments will need to be aligned as part of the process.
2. Consider and increase contributions to funding streams like the Pandemic Fund and WHO's Contingency Fund for Emergencies. Adequate, predictable and sustainable financing for PPR is essential.

We anticipate a constructive outcome of the High-Level Meeting on PPR: A concise political declaration, complementing and supporting the work in Geneva, and promoting the conclusion of the pandemic agreement, high-level political leadership, equitable access to medical countermeasures, and sustainable financing. The EU will continue to discuss WHO's ten proposals for health emergency preparedness, response, and resilience. while noting that Member States ultimately decide on pursuing specific topics.

________________________________________________________________

Coming to clinical trials, the EU and its Member States stress that clinical trials are essential for ensuring patient safety and providing access to effective novel health technologies. 

Firstly, an existing and operational regulatory capacity and supervision, including to guarantee the safety of clinical trial participants, is needed.

Secondly, more countries should have these capacities to be able to participate in testing solutions for neglected tropical diseases, and long expected innovations to come, such as vaccines against malaria, HIV or tuberculosis, among others. The EU and its Member States will intensify their collaboration with African and other partners, including through the future pandemic instrument, to increase R&D capacities.

Thirdly, we would like to repeat our proposal that contributions made by WHO to clinical studies should be made payable to WHO in case of commercialization of the tested products.

Finally, call on WHO to apply the lessons from the WHO Blue Print and related R&D work to promoting much needed innovation in the field of NCDs.

Thank you.

[1] North Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.