On May 24 – June 1, 2021, the 74th virtual World Health Assembly (WHA) is taking place in Geneva. Delegations from 194 WHO Member States, including Ukraine, as well as from specialized agencies, programs and funds of the UN system and non-governmental organizations are participating in the Assembly.

The theme of this year Assembly is defined as “Ending this pandemic, preventing the next: building together a healthier, safer and fairer world”.

In his address to the WHA participants UN Secretary-General A.Guterres expressed his conviction that the COVID-19 pandemic requires a new level of unity and solidarity from the world community, called on all stakeholders to ensure equity in vaccine access, strengthen primary health care, as well as to accelerate manufacturing of essential medicines, in particular vaccines.

WHO Director General T. Ghebreyesus, on his part, spoke in favor of adequate funding for the Cooperation Program to accelerate the development, production and equal access to new technologies for diagnostics, treatment and vaccines against COVID-19 - "Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator", as well as the adoption of the Framework Convention on Pandemic Prevention and Response, which would enhance the ability of the world community to cope with the pandemics, enhance international solidarity and the exchange of relevant data and resources.

In the statement by the delegation of Ukraine at the 74th session of the WHA the attention has been drawn to the challenges our state faces in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, and appreciation has beenexpressed to the WHO for its assistance in responding to them. Collaboration within the framework of the WHO COVAX mechanism has been positively noted. Ukrainehas supported the initiative to develop a legally binding international treaty to prevent and respond to future global health challenges. In addition, Russia's neglect of the life and health of the population of the temporarily occupied territories (TOT) of Ukraine has beenemphasized, in particular in the context of the spread of COVID-19, and Russia, as an occupying country, has been called upon to fulfill its relevant obligations, including ensuring provision of the population of the TOT with adequate health services.