Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, dear colleagues and friends, Thank you for joining us for today’s briefing. We are again fortunate to have with us ministers and special representatives from each of the six WHO regions, who will share their experiences with COVID-19.
First, I'd like to thank the European Commission for hosting the COVID-19 pledging event on Monday – special thanks to President Ursula von der Leyen – and to all countries who participated and made pledges.
This was a remarkable show of global solidarity and commitment to equitable access to diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines.
Next, I'd like to briefly tell you about our updated Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan, which will be published in the coming days.