Minister of Foreign Affairs Iruthisham Adam has called for stronger financing and health systems to help Small Island Developing States (SIDS) prepare for future pandemics and public health emergencies.
Speaking at a high-level meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, Minister Iruthisham highlighted the severe economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on vulnerable island states.
She said the pandemic wiped out more than one-third of the Maldives’ economic output in 2020, erasing 15 years of development progress.
The minister said SIDS require sustainable and pre-emptive financing, resilient supply chains for vaccines, diagnostics and medicines, and continued investment in health workers, technology transfer, disease surveillance and laboratory networks.
She also reaffirmed the Maldives’ commitment to multilateral health frameworks, including the World Health Organization’s Pandemic Agreement and the International Health Regulations of 2005.
Minister Iruthisham said future pandemic preparedness must ensure that financing is available, health systems are interconnected and essential medical supplies remain accessible.
She added that communities must also be equipped to respond effectively to health emergencies, stressing that preparedness is essential not only to protect lives but also to safeguard development gains and countries’ ability to determine their own future.
The second high-level meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response was convened pursuant to UN General Assembly Resolution 79/333 to review progress in implementing the 2023 Political Declaration on PPPR.
The meeting brings together global leaders to assess progress, address remaining gaps and renew political commitments to building resilient health systems worldwide.