The meeting convened under the overarching theme of fostering a multilateral and intergenerational approach to prevent, prepare for, and respond to pandemics and public health emergencies through the principles of equity and solidarity.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Minister of Foreign Affairs Iruthisham Adam, delivered remarks at the High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response (PPPR), held during the 81st session High-level Week of the United Nations General Assembly on 25 September 2026.
The meeting convened under the overarching theme of fostering a multilateral and intergenerational approach to prevent, prepare for, and respond to pandemics and public health emergencies through the principles of equity and solidarity.
Minister Iruthisham Adam highlighted the acute vulnerabilities of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), recalling that the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out over one-third of the Maldives economic output in 2020, erasing 15 years of development progress. She stressed that SIDS require sustainable and pre-emptive financing, resilient supply chains for vaccines, diagnostics and medicines, and continued investment in health workforces, technology transfer, surveillance and laboratory networks.
Minister Iruthisham Adam reaffirmed the Maldives commitment to multilateral frameworks, including the WHO Pandemic Agreement and the International Health Regulations (2005), emphasising that future preparedness must ensure that financing is available, systems are interconnected, essential supplies are accessible, and communities are equipped to respond. She noted that such preparedness is critical not only to protecting lives, but also to safeguarding development gains and preserving countries’ ability to determine their own future.
The second High-Level meeting on PPRR, pursuant to General Assembly resolution 79/333, brings together global leaders to review the implementation of the 2023 Political Declaration on PPPR. The discussions focus on assessing global progress, addressing persistent gaps, and renewing high-level political commitment to build resilient health systems worldwide.
ENDS
