SINGAPORE'S FIRST RESOLUTION SUCCESSFULLY ADOPTED AT 75TH WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY IN GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

• Published date: 27 May 2022
• Publication title: ASEAN Tribune

27 May 2022 (Ministry of Health, Singapore) 1. Singapore's first resolution Strengthening Health Emergency Preparedness and Response in Cities and Urban Settings was adopted at the 75th World Health Assembly (WHA) on 27 May 2022, with co-sponsorship from countries from all six World Health Organization (WHO) regions.

2. The resolution urges WHO and its Member States to invest sufficiently in urban health emergency preparedness and adopt a whole-of-government and multisectoral approach in planning and response to health emergencies in cities and urban settings, with emphasis on including subnational levels and subpopulations. The resolution also calls for collaboration with international partners to support learning and sharing of good practices.

3. In his intervention delivered at the World Health Assembly during the discussion on the resolution, Minister for Health Mr Ong Ye Kung urged Member States to take steps now to strengthen health emergency preparedness and response, especially in cities and urban settings, as they are the first line of readiness and response.

4. The adoption of the resolution signals clear recognition by Member States of the critical role played by cities in health emergency preparedness, with cities often being both vulnerable to outbreaks, but also having the capacity to deliver a strong response.

5. In his intervention, Minister Ong also urged WHO Member States to ramp up COVID-19 vaccination efforts, which...