Esteemed Delegates, Excellencies and Honourable Chairperson,

In our ever-changing world — facing conflict, climate change’s repercussions and pandemics — one thing must remain resolute: as a global community, we must prioritise health emergency preparedness to ensure future health security.

WHO’s Health Emergency programmes have globally guided International Health Regulations-based responses, focused on surveillance, information sharing, resource mobilisation, capacity building, and research and innovation. In all aspects, we advocate for the crucial inclusion and protection of youth and young medical professionals.

We urgently call on Member States and relevant stakeholders to support youth’s health emergency resilience initiatives, such as mental health and psychosocial support, disaster risk reduction and proactive emergency response plans, including after conflicts. We must ensure international and intergenerational cooperation to build a world prepared to overcome health emergencies.

Thank you.
Contact Person: Dr. Arwa Hany Sharaby, Liaison Officer to the World Health Organization - lwho@ifmsa.org