Welcome Remarks by H.E. Ambassador ISHIKANE Kimihiro, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the Group of Friends of Universal Health Coverage and Global Health Virtual Briefing on COVID-19 and Universal Health Coverage (UHC)

 
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
At the outset, on behalf of the Co-Chairs, His Excellency Mr. Kaha Imnadze, Permanent Representative of Georgia and His Excellency Mr. Vitavas Srivihok, Permanent Representative of Thailand, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to His Excellency Mr. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, President of the General Assembly, Ms. Henrietta Fore, Executive Director of UNICEF, Dr. Zsuzsanna Jakab, Deputy Director-General and colleagues of WHO, and of course the distinguished members of the Group of Friends of Universal Health Coverage and Global Health, as well as the distinguished participants for making this briefing possible.
 
Based on the momentum created by this Group of Friends, in September of last year, our leaders unanimously agreed on a Political Declaration and committed to achieve universal health coverage (UHC) at the General Assembly high-level meeting on UHC convened by the PGA. As we tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, which is causing a devastating impact on human security, these political commitments have never been more important.
 
Secretary-General António Guterres called for “the need for new urgency in support of universal health coverage.” Now more than ever, everyone, everywhere must be able to access the health services they need without facing financial hardship.
 
In this context, we would like to discuss today the central role of UHC in responding to and preparing for the COVID-19 pandemic so that we can build back better to fully implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to prepare for future pandemics. As this is a matter of utmost importance to all the Member States and Observers, we are delighted to seek the valuable views also from those delegations who have not yet joined the group.
 
Today, we have a number of wonderful speakers ahead of us. First, we are honored to hear opening remarks from His Excellency Mr. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, the President of the General Assembly. This will be followed by the special remarks from Ms. Henrietta Fore, the Executive Director of UNICEF. We will then be briefed on the main substantive matter by Dr. Zsuzsanna Jakab, Deputy Director-General of WHO, who is overseeing UHC at WHO Headquarters in Geneva. We will then go into a discussion by the delegations.  
 
Without further ado, I am pleased to ask my co-chairs to give their welcome remarks.