The Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres has urged countries of the world to get prepared and ready for the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic. He said this at the UN’s first International Day of Epidemic Preparedness which took place on Sunday.
In his address, “this first observance of the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness falls at the end of a year in which a scenario many had feared came tragically true. As we strive to control and recover from the current pandemic, we must think about the next”.
While underscoring all the lessons learnt from the COVID19 pandemic, he further seek better and greater investment and preparedness to kill future health challenges. He further highlighted the need for support for communities on the frontlines, strong health systems and social protection, and technical cooperation for countries.
“Across this work, science must be our guide. Solidarity and coordination are crucial, within and among countries; no one is safe unless all of us are safe,” the Secretary-General added.
Guterres also honoured medical professionals, front-line personnel and essential workers globally for their “remarkable commitment” in face of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Secretary-General in same vein honoured and appreciated the committements of all essential workers globally, frontliners and medical professionals for their remarkable commitments and contributions in the face of the pandemic.
“As we recover from the pandemic, let us resolve to build up our prevention capacities so that we are ready when the world faces the next outbreak,” he said.
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Speaking in the same line of thought, President of the General Assembly, Volkan Bozkir made know that devastating experience of the COVID-19 pandemic has clearly shown the importance and advantage of fighting epidemics in our world. Noting that COVID19 must be the final warning as many lives can be saved when all hands are ready to be on deck.
“If we ready ourselves, then we can save lives and stop epidemics from developing into pandemics. COVID-19 “must be our final warning”.
“We cannot afford to be complacent, and we must learn from our mistakes”, he concluded.
Bozkir further urged everyone to join him in trusting science, supporting early warning mechanisms, and standing together in solidarity against future occurence or any form of pandemic that may raise its ugly head.
“We will prepare as we have never prepared before – so that epidemics and pandemics can no longer cause the kind of suffering we have seen across the globe this year,” the President of the General Assembly urged.
