Swiss president Alain Berset opened the 76th World Health Assembly in Geneva, praising progress made to end the pandemic while calling on the world to stay vigilant.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/jdp
Español
es
OMS: El presidente suizo insta al mundo a “permanecer alerta” ante el final de la pandemia
“We have worked together to overcome this difficult ordeal,” said Berset in a speech to representatives of most of the 194 member states of the World Health Organization (WHO) who are meeting in Geneva from May 21-30.
“When we have a strong common will to move forward, we can succeed,” he said. On May 5 the WHO announced that Covid-19 is no longer a “public health emergency of international concern”.
Berset also called on WHO members to advance discussions on a pandemic treaty and amendments to the International Health Regulations.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wants a pandemic treaty to be concluded by May 2024, which many diplomats say will be very difficult given the number of sticking points including the definition of a pandemic, intellectual property rules, financing and compliance arrangements.
The first draft of the agreement included easing intellectual property restrictions to ensure equitable access to vaccines and therapies. Switzerland, which has a large pharmaceutical industry, is among a group of countries that opposes such a move.
WHO future
Berset also emphasised the importance of the WHO, which celebrates its 75th anniversary, to enable multilateral cooperation to tackle global health crises.
A key part of that is sustainable financing of the WHO, he added. He described a resolution passed last year to reform financing the WHO as “historic”. WHO members will discuss how to increase the mandatory contributions to the WHO, which current makes up only a small portion of the funding. Most funding is voluntary, which allows states to decide what they will be used for and makes it challenging to deal with pandemic prevention and response.
Switzerland has been nominated for a seat on the WHO Executive Board for a three-year team, joining 33 other member states. The term would start in May.
First large-scale alpine solar plant approved in Switzerland
This content was published on
The approval was met with satisfaction by the project's organisers, but it also brings with it a certain amount of pressure.
Medieval squirrels may have ‘helped spread leprosy’
This content was published on
An examination of squirrel remains in the United Kingdom has opened up interesting questions and possibilities in terms of the history of the disease.
Swiss money laundering office registers record number of reports
This content was published on
The Money Laundering Reporting Office Switzerland (MROS) registered a record number of reports of suspicious activity last year.
Two teens accused of planning terror attack released from custody
This content was published on
The Schaffhausen judiciary has released the two teenagers from custody who allegedly planned bomb attacks in Switzerland.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Covid-19 emergency is officially over – what does that mean?
This content was published on
The World Health Organization has declared the end to the acute phase of the Covid-19 pandemic. An explainer on the implications of this decision.
Does Bill Gates have too much influence in the WHO?
This content was published on
The WHO's upcoming Assembly will be facing calls for reform. One of the issues in the spotlight will be funding and the role of private donors.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.