– As delivered –
Statement by H.E. Volkan Bozkir, President of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly
7 December 2020
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Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is radically transforming our economies and societies, the discussions and actions of the General Assembly on global health and foreign policy are of special importance.
I welcome your participation, last week, at the 31st special session of the United Nations General Assembly in Response to the Coronavirus Disease, which was an important opportunity to renew our commitment to multilateralism and the people we serve. This issue will continue to be a priority for my Presidency and this 75th session.
The past two centuries have seen enormous achievements in global health. The quality and accessibility of health services have improved. Many infectious diseases, previously the leading cause of death, are under control across most of the world due to sanitation, food safety and nutrition improvements, vaccines, and antibiotics.
But as the pandemic has demonstrated, we cannot be complacent.
At least half of the world¡¯s population do not have full coverage of essential health services. Over 800 million people spend at least 10 per cent of their household budgets to pay for health. During the COVID-19 pandemic the old, the poor, the displaced, and other vulnerable groups who are not protected by universal health coverage have been hit the hardest. The pandemic has proved that no one is safe unless everyone is protected.
Just one year ago, the General Assembly adopted the political declaration on Universal Health Coverage, a comprehensive commitment to a healthier world for all. It is time for us to match our ambition with action, to improve health and well-being for all.
At least half of the world¡¯s population do not have full coverage of essential health services. Over 800 million people spend at least 10 per cent of their household budgets to pay for health. During the COVID-19 pandemic the old, the poor, the displaced, and other vulnerable groups who are not protected by universal health coverage have been hit the hardest. The pandemic has proved that no one is safe unless everyone is protected.
This afternoon, the General Assembly will consider a draft resolution on the International Day for Epidemic preparedness. The COVID-19 pandemic has cost around one and a half million lives and shown the dire socio-economic consequences of a pandemic. This is a wake-up call, for greater political commitment and action, multilateral cooperation, and health care solidarity, which are essential, to support global economic recovery and to build back better. I call upon all member states to support the Vaccines4all initiative and related multilateral efforts, to ensure fair and equitable access to vaccines. In addition, we must work together to ensure that all necessary tools, from diagnostics, to preventive equipment, to treatments, are made available to all who need them.
The pandemic provides a compelling case to invest in health now. I encourage all countries to expand investments to achieve universal health coverage, including to ensure that tuberculosis services are supported and to prepare for the worst health emergencies and build the foundations for a better future. In this process, I also call on development partners to create incentives and support funding for UHC and preparedness.
Thank you.