The 74th World Health Assembly has closed with a call for countries to commit to supporting the targets to achieve a 10% vaccination of the population by September and at least 30% by the end of the year 2021.

In his closing remarks WHO executive director Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reminded delegates of the theme for the assembly which focused on ending the pandemic and preventing the next in order to build a healthier and fairer world.

Dr Ghebreyesus stated that it was encouraging to witness a decline in Covid-19 deaths globally but was quick to say that it would be monumental error for any country to think the danger has passed.

He went on to say that one day the pandemic will be behind us and we will still face the same weaknesses that allowed a small outbreak to turn into a global pandemic.

Dr Ghebreyesus therefore said it is important to strengthen the WHO and global health security in order to fully prepare for pandemics as well as response during such times.

More than 30 resolutions and decisions were adopted at this year’s World Health Assembly in different areas of public health: decisions on diabetes, disabilities, ending violence against children to mention a few.