WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the 5th Meeting of the IHR Emergency Committee on COVID-19
29 October 2020
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Professor Didier Houssin,
Emergency Committee Members and advisors,
Dear colleagues and friends,
Let me start by warmly welcoming you to the 5th meeting of the IHR Emergency Committee on COVID-19.
Since the Emergency Committee last met in July, many things have evolved, both for the positive and for the negative.
We know much more about the virus now. The epidemiological patterns and options for treatment are better understood.
We have gathered evidence and best-practices for breaking chains of transmission. We have learned to respond in a more targeted and tailored manner.
But we also face new challenges.
We are particularly concerned about issues of community engagement and the politization of the response.
This pandemic is far from over. We need to adjust all our efforts to be suitable for the long-run.
Strong leadership integrated in a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach will help to sustain a consistent and robust response.
Mental health must be an integral part of all response efforts.
In order to reflect variations in severity and epidemiology within and across countries and regions, it will be necessary to adopt appropriate indicators.
This includes ones to measure the burden on health systems and hospitals in particular.
This will allow for the review and refinement of measures based on science and thorough public health risk assessments.
Risk management is about taking actions based on available evidence through solidarity, transparency and in an inclusive manner.
Where certainty and evidence remain elusive, measures need to be evaluated regularly and actions course-corrected if necessary.
Addressing uncertainties and the socio-economic impact of measures will increase confidence in the people leading the response.
Basic epidemiological interventions such as contact tracing and surveillance remain the most critical and effective interventions that break chains of transmission.
But we also need to get better at engaging individuals and communities to support the COVID-19 response. This is key for any public health intervention, as we all know.
There are a number of areas that require further consideration, and I welcome your advice.
These include:
Establishing sustainable long-term response strategies.
Refining indicators for risk management.
Implementing time-limited public health, social and travel measures,
which are based on risk assessments and scientific evaluations.
Maintaining basic epidemiological interventions such as contact tracing and surveillance.
Addressing misinformation and infodemics.
Readying countries for the introduction of COVID-19 vaccines and avoiding vaccine nationalism.
And how countries can best report to WHO on their progress on implementing the temporary recommendations.
Of course we should not be restricted by this. Any additional ideas you have are welcome.
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Dr Soce Fall and Dr Jaouad Mahjour will update you with the latest technical background and provide you with a detailed overview on the progress made on the recommendations from your last meeting.
WHO heavily relies on your advice and your external expert view.
I am proud and reassured to be able to draw on your expertise in these difficult times. Much gratitude for your continued support and help. I wish you a successful meeting.
I thank you. Merci beaucoup chair, and all members.
