WHO - World Health Organization

09/25/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/26/2024 07:57

WHO Director-General's remarks at the G20 Foreign Ministers meeting – 25 September 2024

Excellencies, Honourable Ministers, heads of delegation, dear colleagues and friends,

Two weeks ago I was in Sudan, seeing first-hand the devastation that has caused untold destruction, death, disease and the displacement of more than 13 million people. It's a quarter of Sudan's population.

Last week I was in Chad, where I had the opportunity to meet some of those people, who have crossed the border seeking food and safety.

The conditions are indescribable and the needs overwhelming.

WHO and our partners are doing our best to meet those needs, for both the refugees, and the host communities.

But we need your support.

And this is only one of the many health crises we are facing, including outbreaks of mpox, cholera and dengue, conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, and more.

Global threats require a global response.

There was no clearer illustration of that than the COVID-19 pandemic, which taught us at least three painful but valuable lessons.

First, shared threats need a shared response. That's why WHO Member States are now negotiating a new Pandemic Agreement.

While progress has been made, some of the most important issues are not yet resolved.

We urge G20 countries to take the lead in resolving those issues, finding middle ground, and reaching consensus, by the end of this year if possible.

Second, the pandemic highlighted the need for close cooperation between health and finance, which led to the creation of the G20 Joint Finance and Health Task Force, which is hosted at WHO.

And third, the pandemic showed why the world needs a strong and sustainably-financed WHO at the centre of the global health architecture.

The WHO Investment Round aims to mobilize the sustainable and predictable funding we need to implement our global health strategy, which aims to save 40 million lives over the next four years.

At the G20 Leaders' Summit in Brazil, His Excellency President Lula will announce the results of the Investment Round.

I thank President Lula for his support, as well as the co-chairs and the many countries which have already pledged, and I ask all G20 countries to join them.

I thank you.