Our Co-Chairs, Precious and Anne-Claire,
Our Vice-Chairs, Ambassador Tovar, Ambassador Ramadan, Dr Viroj and Ms Davis,
Excellencies, dear colleagues and friends,
Good morning, and welcome once again to WHO.
Let me begin by thanking the co-chairs, vice-chairs and members of the bureau for your leadership and hard work.
Thank you for the text you have proposed, which reflects the different views of Member States, and balances those views with public health needs.
And thank you to all Member States for your continuing commitment to this process.
As you know, we are at a crucial point, as you move to finalize the Pandemic Agreement in time for the World Health Assembly.
It really is a case of now or never. But I am confident that you will choose now, because you know what is at stake.
You remember the hard-won lessons of COVID-19, which left an estimated 20 million of our brothers and sisters dead, and which continues to kill.
They are why we are here: to protect future generations from the impact of future pandemics.
Because we know that the next pandemic is a matter of when, not if.
There are reminders all around us: Ebola, Marburg, measles, mpox, influenza, and the threat of the next disease X.
The catch-cry of the COVID-19 pandemic remains true: no one is safe until everyone is safe.
No country can protect itself by itself. Bilateral agreements will only get you so far.
Prevention is the responsibility of all countries;
Preparedness is the responsibility of all countries;
And response is the responsibility of all countries.
Coming together, of course, is not easy; it was never going to be. But that is the power of multilateralism.
Last Friday, the 14th of February, the Government of the United States of America informed WHO of its decision to withdraw from the intergovernmental process.
Like the decision to withdraw from WHO, we regret this decision, and we hope the U.S. will reconsider.
Thank you all for your hard work and for the great progress you have made, despite the naysayers. You have found agreement on so many issues.
The finish line is in sight, to build a landmark legal framework, to help the world to prepare, and to prepare well.
Together with the important amendments to the International Health Regulations that you adopted last year, the Pandemic Agreement will make us all safer.
As always, we are grateful for your engagement and guidance, and we look forward to your questions, comments and support.
I thank you.