Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

As we have seen from recent global health crises, investing in pandemic prevention and response is not only necessary, it is essential. Strengthening our health systems, improving surveillance and response capabilities, and advancing research in vaccines and treatments can save millions of lives and drastically reduce the economic impact of future pandemics.

As the world faces unprecedented health emergencies, maintaining a stockpile of essential supplies is critical. It ensures that we can respond quickly and effectively to any crisis, saving lives and preventing the spread of diseases.

As the Director-General of the World Health Organization, I strongly agree that we should ban the sale of tobacco products. Tobacco use is one of the leading causes of preventable death worldwide, and banning its sale would significantly reduce the burden of disease and promote global public health.