Honourable President,
Distinguished Director-General,
Excellencies,
Estonia aligns itself with the statement made on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.
While we continue to fight the pandemic, there are important tasks ahead of us to strengthen the global health architecture and at the same time ensuring the core capacities at the national level.
Strengthening WHO, to enable and empower its leading role in preparing and responding to global health emergencies, is our shared goal.
We cannot hide away from the decisions, even on issues where finding common ground might not be easy. A global accord is needed on the sustainable funding of pandemic preparedness and response at the global level, including for the WHO core functions.
In this crisis, we have come to acknowledge the interdependence of the world, the interlinks between the different sectors and the interplay between the environment, human and animal health.
We have witnessed the greatest health crisis of our times, quickly turning into a vast socio-economic crisis, leaving no country in the world untouched. Many of our nations have had to endure extended periods of lockdown leading to loss of employment and social isolation.
The existing global instruments have not been sufficient in effectively responding to a health and socio-economic crisis with such a global magnitude, nor ensuring equal access to the necessary tools and resources.
It is for this reason, that we need to act now, building on the political consensus that the world cannot accept the status quo.
A new legally binding instrument will pave the way to a strengthened and more cohesive international framework, complementing and reinforcing the existing instruments in a cross-sectorial and whole-of-government approach.
We support the setting up of an Intergovernmental Negotiating Body, as well as defining an efficient process with clear timelines. An inclusive approach, involving all State Parties, Non-State-Actors, experts and international organisations, will be necessary to build consensus and ensure coherence moving forward.
While addressing areas not covered by the International Health Regulations or other existing mechanisms, a new international instrument should not preclude critical review of the International Health Regulations, to strengthen its implementation and accountability mechanisms.
I am convinced that collectively we will cease this historical opportunity to act as a global community, to be better prepared for the future, guided by the principles of greater transparency, accountability, solidarity and equity.