Guterres asks world leaders for a “political commitment” for health

Oct. 16 () –

The Secretary General of the UN, António Guterres, urged the leaders of all the countries of the world this Sunday for a “continued political commitment” to better prepare health systems for possible crises such as the coronavirus pandemic.

“The richest countries and the international financial institutions must support developing countries so that these crucial investments can be made,” said Guterres during his intervention by videoconference before the World Health Summit that is being held in Berlin.

Guterres has highlighted how poorly prepared the vast majority of the world is for a health crisis. “Women are the most affected. They bear a greater burden of care in the family and as frontline workers,” he has argued. At the same time, women have lost their jobs and suffer from inadequate social safety nets.

COVID-19 and now the food, energy and financial crises caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine threaten the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and poverty reduction efforts. “We have to recalibrate multilateralism and strengthen global cooperation,” Guterres said.

For the head of the UN, “the unbalanced global financial system is failing the developing world.” “This must change. Everyone needs inclusive, impartial and equitable access to health services, universal health coverage,” including mental health services, he snapped. “Good health is the basis for a peaceful and stable society,” he stressed.