The 73rd World Health Assembly was concluded on 19 May. In his closing remarks, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that the organization will continue providing strategic leadership to coordinate the global response, and support efforts by countries.

Dr. Tedros thanked Member States for adopting a resolution which calls for an evaluation of the international response – including, but not limited to, WHO’s performance at an appropriate moment. He noted that WHO welcomes any initiative to strengthen global health security, to strengthen WHO, and to be more safe and that as always, it remains fully committed to transparency, accountability and continuous improvement.

He reiterated that WHO’s focus now is fighting the pandemic with every tool at its disposal. To this end, WHO will continue providing strategic leadership to coordinate the global response, and support efforts by countries; continue providing the world with epidemiological information and analysis; continue to keep the world informed and give people and communities the information they need; continue shipping diagnostics, personal protective equipment and other medical supplies all over the world; continue bringing together leading experts from around the world to develop technical advice, based on the best science and continue driving relevant research and development.

Dr. Tedros also called on countries to be prepared to respond to COVID-19, sustain essential health services and ensure equitable access to the tools to prevent, detect and treat the disease.