Excellencies,
It is an honour to be with you today, and I express my deep gratitude for the invitation.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has for many years played a key role in strengthening pandemic preparedness and response capacities in each of its Member States, which span both the WHO South-East Asia and Western Pacific regions.
Your partnership is of great value to WHO, and I look forward to continuing our collaboration to end this pandemic and prepare for and prevent the next.
Today, I will update you on several key aspects of the response, which I am certain are uppermost in your mind: first, the virus; second, variants; third, vaccines; and fourth, international travel and trade.
We are now more than 18 months into the COVID-19 crisis, which has thus far killed more than 4 million people globally.
In countries in all WHO regions, substantial increases in cases and deaths continue to be reported, highlighting the need to remain vigilant, and to continue to vigorously apply public health and social measures to control spread, save lives and minimize impact.
As of 16 July, the South-East Asia Region is the world’s third most affected region, with a cumulative 35.9 million cases and more than 510 000 deaths.
Surges of cases continue to be witnessed in Bangladesh, Indonesia, Myanmar and Thailand, causing serious strain on health systems.
Most countries in the Region have reported the presence of the Alpha and Delta variants, whereas the Beta variant has been reported in six countries. The Gamma variant has been reported in India and Thailand alone, detected among travellers at points of entry.
Transmission in each country is characterized by one of the four variants of concern as dominant.
For example, against the backdrop of the massive second wave in India, the Delta variant was reported as the dominant variant. The second wave in Bangladesh was marked by the dominance of the Beta variant. The Alpha variant likely contributed to recent surges in Sri Lanka and Thailand.
For the foreseeable future, we must continue to wear masks, practice physical distancing and avoid crowds. Relaxing public health interventions should be done cautiously, and with careful attention to those who remain unvaccinated.
In addition to public health and social measures, safe and effective vaccines are among the best tools we have to fight the pandemic.
All countries of the South-East Asia Region, including ASEAN Member States, have designed national vaccine deployment plans with a focus on priority groups such as health care and frontline workers, and elderly populations.
Seven vaccines are available in the Region – AstraZeneca, Sinopharm, Pfizer, Sinovac, Sputnik V, Moderna and Covaxin.
Countries are administering the vaccines on the basis of the WHO listed vaccines for emergency use, as well as the emergency use authorization provided by national regulatory agencies.
As of 14 July, more than 466 million vaccines have been administered in the Region – 366 million of the first dose and 100 million of the second dose. This equates to 17.7% of the Region’s population having been administered the first dose, and 4.9% having received both doses.
Across our Region, as globally, vaccine programmes continue to face a range of challenges.
The limited vaccine supply and the high utilization rate of available vaccines – which in our Region is as high as 91% – are responsible for a general slow-down in vaccination.
The availability of multiple types of vaccines from multiple sources is causing legal and logistical complexities.
Reporting and managing adverse events, engaging with communities, and fighting vaccine hesitancy and rumours continue to be key priorities among our Member States.
Costing and budgeting for COVID-19 vaccine expansion plans continues to be a challenge for many countries, who already face economic difficulties, caused in part by disruptions to international travel and the implications such disruptions have for business, trade and tourism.
Diverse opinions exist on how to resume travel in a safe manner.
At present, it is WHO’s position that national authorities and conveyance operators should not introduce requirements of proof of COVID-19 vaccination for international travel as a condition for departure or entry.
Limited availability of vaccines, and the preferential vaccination of travellers, could result in inadequate supplies of vaccines for priority populations.
To provide clarity, WHO is producing interim guidance and tools related to the standardization of paper and digital documentation of COVID-19 travel-related risk reduction measures in the context of international travel.
WHO will continue to support all countries in the South-East Asia Region, including ASEAN Member States, to implement such measures, utilizing a pragmatic, risk-based approach.
Before closing, I want to highlight five key messages, applicable to all countries in the Region and across ASEAN.
First, for many months to come, the pandemic will continue to threaten lives and livelihoods. We must do all we can to protect both. Now is not the time to give up. More virus means more disruptions, delaying our return to normal.
Second, we must continue to implement whole-of-government, whole-of-society responses, fully committed to advancing health equity and protecting the most vulnerable first – not only because it is the right thing to do, but because it is the most efficient way forward.
Third, we must be mindful that vaccination is a major tool, but it is not the only tool. We must continue to engage populations and communities to increase vaccine acceptance, while also maintaining widespread buy-in for public health and social measures.
Fourth, we must adapt as best we can to living with the virus, including with regard to international travel. To do that, we must pursue a risk-based and equitable approach that complements the aims and efficacy of national vaccination programmes.
Fifth and finally, international cooperation continues to be key. The virus does not recognize borders. If it is a threat in one country, it is a threat to all countries. Together, we must continue to implement a coordinated and integrated response, linking local, national and international strategies and interventions.
I once again thank ASEAN for its ongoing efforts to strengthen pandemic preparedness and response capacities across its Member States, and I reiterate WHO’s unmitigated support in ending this pandemic and preparing for and preventing the next.
Thank you.