Chilean President Sebastián Piñera led a forum on Friday with Dr. Tedros Adhanom, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), during which he called for improved international coordination in combating the coronavirus.
The online event was attended by WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom and the director of the Pan American Health Organization, Dr. Carissa Etienne.
“Building a fairer and healthier world for all, as the WHO is urging us to do, is more than just a moral imperative - it’s a necessity for the survival of humankind,” said the President, who was accompanied by Health Minister Enrique Paris.
The President added that “Chile will continue to act with conviction in terms of making vaccines and medications available to as many people as possible because this is the only way to end the coronavirus pandemic.”
In his speech, the President called for cooperation in fighting the health crisis and he reaffirmed Chile’s commitment to improving the International Health Regulations in order to make it possible to create a new international treaty to address future pandemics through a stronger and better prepared multilateral infrastructure.
“We need the commitment and support of the entire international community. Only by working together can we build a fairer and healthier world,” added the President at the forum, which was also attended by WHO’s representative in Chile, Fernando Leanes.
Meanwhile, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom welcomed Chile´s commitment to vaccinating against COVID-19 and its efforts to combat the pandemic.