Statement by Minister Osman Saleh at HLM on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response
STATEMENT BY H.E. MR. OSMAN SALEH
MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE STATE OF ERITREA
High-level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response
“Fostering a multilateral and intergenerational approach to prevent, prepare for and respond to pandemics and public health emergencies, through the principles of equity and solidarity”
Friday, 25 September 2026
UNHQ, New York
Mr. President,
Recent health emergencies have shown that countries do not enter a crisis with the same capacities or the same access to what they need.
The WHO Pandemic Agreement and amendments to the International Health Regulations are important developments. The question now is whether they will make a practical difference when the next emergency comes.
COVID-19 exposed serious gaps in access to medical products, technology and production capacity. Developing countries cannot be expected to strengthen surveillance, laboratories and emergency response without the necessary technology, expertise and resources.
Addressing these gaps requires greater regional manufacturing, technology transfer and local production are therefore essential. Intellectual property and commercial interests should not stand in the way of access to lifesaving products. Unilateral coercive measures that restrict access to medicines, equipment and financing also weaken national health systems.
Mr. President,
Eritrea’s experience has shown the value of strong national ownership. Prevention and preparedness have been central to its health approach, supported by government leadership and community-based health systems. Its National Action Plan for Health Security further strengthens surveillance, emergency response and coordination.
International cooperation should support, not replace, national capacity. It must also address the inequalities in technology, production and access that became so clear during COVID-19.
The real measure of progress will be whether all countries are better able to protect their populations when the next health emergency comes.
I thank you.