CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html><html class="no-js language-en" lang="en"><head><meta charset="utf-8"><meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge"><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, minimal-ui, initial-scale=1, user-scalable=yes"><base href="//www.thenewsmarket.com/"><link rel="shortcut icon" href="dist/images/favicon.png" sizes="16x16" type="image/png"><link rel="preconnect" href="https://www.googletagmanager.com"><script>window.dataLayer=window.dataLayer||[];function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag("consent","default",{ad_storage:'denied',analytics_storage:'granted',functionality_storage:'granted',marketing_storage:'denied',wait_for_update:500});(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-PHVWSFB');</script><script async defer data-domain="www.thenewsmarket.com" src="https://plausible.io/js/plausible.js"></script><link rel="preload" href="/dist/fonts/tnmn/fahkwang-v2-latin-regular.woff2" as="font" type="font/woff2" crossorigin><link rel="preload" href="/dist/fonts/tnmn/poppins-v6-latin-300.woff2" as="font" type="font/woff2" crossorigin><link rel="manifest" href="/manifest.json"><link rel="preconnect" href="https://preview.thenewsmarket.com"><link rel="preconnect" href="https://cdnapisec.kaltura.com"><link rel="preconnect" href="https://cdn.onesignal.com"><link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="180x180" href="/dist/images/apple-touch-icon.png"><link href="/dist/styles/main.css?v=sQL-b9oG3QVt-CK62jB36OWnulxr9DiJ3KdHw0R1VIQ" rel="stylesheet"><script src="/Scripts/vendors/jquery/jquery-3.6.0.min.js"></script><title>Director−General's opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID−19 – 7 July 2021</title><link rel="preload" as="image" href="https://preview.thenewsmarket.com/Previews/WHOR/VideoAssets/400x300/WHOR_51326_588561.jpg" media="(max-width: 599px)"><link rel="preload" as="image" href="https://preview.thenewsmarket.com/Previews/WHOR/VideoAssets/960x540/WHOR_51326_588561.jpg" media="(min-width: 600px) and (max-width:1540px)"><link rel="preload" as="image" href="https://preview.thenewsmarket.com/Previews/WHOR/VideoAssets/1920x1080/WHOR_51326_588561.jpg" media="(min-width: 1541px)"><link rel="canonical" href="https://www.thenewsmarket.com/news/director-general-s-opening-remarks-at-the-media-briefing-on-covid-19---7-july-2021/s/28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613"><meta name="description" content="Variants are currently winning the race against vaccines because of inequitable vaccine production and distribution, which also threatens the global economic recovery. I have called repeatedly..."><meta property="og:site_name" content="The NewsMarket"><meta property="og:type" content="website"><meta property="og:title" content="Director−General's opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID−19 – 7 July 2021"><meta property="og:description" content="Variants are currently winning the race against vaccines because of inequitable vaccine production and distribution, which also threatens the global economic recovery. I have called repeatedly..."><meta property="og:image" content="https://preview.thenewsmarket.com/Previews/WHOR/VideoAssets/960x540/WHOR_51326_588561.jpg"><meta property="og:image:height" content="960px"><meta property="og:image:width" content="540px"><meta property="og:url" content="https://www.thenewsmarket.com/news/director-general-s-opening-remarks-at-the-media-briefing-on-covid-19---7-july-2021/s/28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613"><meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"><meta name="twitter:url" content="https://www.thenewsmarket.com/news/director-general-s-opening-remarks-at-the-media-briefing-on-covid-19---7-july-2021/s/28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613"><meta name="twitter:title" content="Director−General's opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID−19 – 7 July 2021"><meta name="twitter:description" content="Variants are currently winning the race against vaccines because of inequitable vaccine production and distribution, which also threatens the global economic recovery. I have called repeatedly..."><meta name="twitter:image" content="https://preview.thenewsmarket.com/Previews/WHOR/VideoAssets/960x540/WHOR_51326_588561.jpg"><meta name="twitter:site" content="https://www.thenewsmarket.com/"><meta name="publish_date" property="og:publish_date" content="2021-07-07T10:13:00+00:00"><body data-parent="tnm-body"><input type="hidden" name="hdngtm" data-key="GTM-PHVWSFB"> <input type="hidden" id="KalturalangID" value="en"> <input type="hidden" class="hdnDefaultOptFun" data-enabled="true" data-userconsent="granted" data-allow-functional-on-reject="0"> <input type="hidden" id="hdnViewMediaCart" value="View Media Cart"> <input type="hidden" id="hdnAddfiletocart" value="Add file to media cart"> <input type="hidden" id="hdnAddAllfilescart" value="Add All files to cart"> <input type="hidden" id="hdnnewslistingurl" value="NewsListing"><div id="cookieConsent" class="cookie-wrap bg-black d-flex flex-column flex-sm-row active"><div class="desc flex-grow-0 align-self-center">We use cookies (and equivalent technologies) to collect and analyse information on site's performance and to enable the site to function. Some cookies allow third parties to tailor the ads you see when you visit our site and other third party websites. By clicking 'Agree', you agree to these uses of cookies.</div><div class="action flex-shrink-0 text-right align-self-center d-flex flex-column-reverse"><button type="button" class="d-btn-block d-sm-btn-inline-block button-styled-white btn-no-radious text-center dev-ga-agree dev-btn-accept-consent" data-dismiss="alert" aria-label="AGREE" data-cookie-string=".AspNet.Consent=yes; expires=Wed, 25 Feb 2026 10:10:11 GMT; path=/; secure; samesite=none"> AGREE </button><div class="desc text-center mb-4"><a href="CookiePolicy" class="text-underline manage-text dev-ga-manage-cookie-pref">Manage Cookie Preferences</a></div></div></div><a class="skip-to-content-link dev-anchor-link" href="#maincontent">Skip to content</a> <input id="app_MediaRoomShortName" name="app.MediaRoomShortName" type="hidden" value="TNMN"> <input name="__RequestVerificationToken" type="hidden" value="CfDJ8BB_d44EYyVFlrVmaLKL5Gs9c7nkY4O8DaZT_mmow62rDnZFgIL-uG9nie6hEPMFxsIGqaDykHUmobEx76-l5nv62W48HdpJIypQMWYvtqzc5A3BbM3PZ9sXQdZRG0Rue7SPYh1TutkXFliC-jgNmUQ"><header class="top-header"><div class="container-fluid"><div class="header-wrap"><div class="align-self-center brand-wrap"><a href=""><img src="/dist/images/brand-logo.svg" alt="TheNewsMarket Home" width="196" height="40"></a></div><div class="align-self-center search-wrap"><div class="align-self-center search-box-wrap"><div class="search-box"><label class="sr-only" for="txtSearch">Search</label> <input type="search" id="txtSearch" class="search-textbox" placeholder="Search news and multimedia"> <button id="btnSearch" aria-label="Search" class="btn btn-inbox"><i class="ic ic-search-header"></i></button></div></div></div><div class="align-self-center nav-wrap"><nav class="nav-bar"><div class="backdrop"></div><ul class="nav justify-content-between justify-content-sm-end align-items-md-center"><li class="nav-item d-block d-sm-none"><a aria-label="Home" class="nav-link" href=""><i class="ic ic-home"></i></a><li class="nav-item d-none d-lg-block"><a class="nav-link" href="/about" target="_self"><span>About Us</span></a><li class="nav-item d-none d-lg-block"><a class="nav-link" href="/brandnewsrooms" data-toggle=""><span>Brand Newsrooms</span></a><li class="nav-item d-none d-lg-block"><a class="nav-link dev-ga-join" href="javascript:void(0)" data-toggle="ajax-login-modal-step1"><span class="d-none d-lg-block">Join</span><i class="ic ic-profile d-block d-lg-none"></i></a><li class="nav-item"><a class="nav-link dev-ga-login" href="javascript:void(0)" data-toggle="ajax-login-modal-step1"><span class="d-none d-lg-block">Login</span><i class="ic ic-profile d-block d-lg-none"></i></a><li class="nav-item"><a class="nav-link dev-media-cart" href="javascript:void(0)" target="_self"><span class="d-none d-lg-block dev-mc-link-title">Media Cart (0)</span><i class="ic ic-cart d-block d-lg-none"></i></a><input type="hidden" name="dev-mc-link-title-format" value="Media Cart (0)"><li class="nav-item d-block d-md-none"><a role="button" aria-label="Search" class="nav-link search-click" href="javascript:void(0)"><i class="ic ic-search"></i></a><li class="nav-item"><a class="nav-link menu-click" aria-label="Menu" href="javascript:void(0)"> <i class="ic ic-burger-xs d-sm-none"></i> <i class="ic ic-burger-md d-none d-sm-block d-lg-none"></i> <i class="ic ic-burger-lg d-none d-lg-block"></i> </a></ul></nav></div><div class="row burger-menu-expand-wrap no-gutters"><div class="col-lg-5 d-none d-lg-block menu-image-box"><a aria-label="Sport News" href="https://www.thenewsmarket.com/sportnewsmarket" target="_self" class="menu-image" style="background-image:url(https://preview.thenewsmarket.com/Previews/NonAssetImages/MR_760/1080x1440/25db6f99-2c1c-48e1-acc9-e2f2a997d3d6.jpg)"></a></div><div class="col-lg-7 burger-menu-box"><div class="burger-menu-wrap"><div class="burger-menu-close d-none d-md-block"><a href="javascript:void(0)" class="close-menu menu-close-click" aria-label="Close"> <i class="ic ic-close"></i> </a></div><div class="row burger-menu-inner"><div class="col-md-12"><div class="burger-menu-list-title">Topics</div><div class="burger-menu-list-wrap"><div class="row"><div class="col-sm-6"><ul class="burger-menu-list"><li><a href="/automotive" target="_self" class="dev-menu-item-ga">Automotive </a><li><a href="/business-industry" target="_self" class="dev-menu-item-ga">Business & Industry </a><li><a href="/charity-education" target="_self" class="dev-menu-item-ga">Charity & Education </a><li><a href="/culture-entertainment" target="_self" class="dev-menu-item-ga">Culture & Entertainment </a><li><a href="/environment-energy" target="_self" class="dev-menu-item-ga">Environment & Energy </a><li><a href="/retail-fashion" target="_self" class="dev-menu-item-ga">Retail & Fashion </a><li><a href="/health" target="_self" class="dev-menu-item-ga">Health </a><li><a href="/lifestyle" target="_self" class="dev-menu-item-ga">Lifestyle </a><li><a href="/politics-economics" target="_self" class="dev-menu-item-ga">Politics & Economics </a><li><a href="/sports" target="_self" class="dev-menu-item-ga">Sports </a><li><a href="/technology" target="_self" class="dev-menu-item-ga">Technology </a><li><a href="/travel-leisure" target="_self" class="dev-menu-item-ga">Travel & Leisure </a></ul><div class="d-none d-sm-block"><div class="burger-menu-list-title">Sections</div><div class="burger-menu-list-wrap"><ul class="burger-menu-list"><li><a href="https://www.thenewsmarket.com/newslisting" target="_self" class="dev-menu-item-ga">News </a><li><a href="https://www.thenewsmarket.com/brandnewsrooms" target="_self" class="dev-menu-item-ga">Brand Newsrooms </a><li><a href="https://www.thenewsmarket.com/media" target="_self" class="dev-menu-item-ga">Media Library </a><li><a href="https://www.thenewsmarket.com/collection" target="_self" class="dev-menu-item-ga">Collections </a></ul></div></div></div><div class="col-sm-6"><ul class="burger-menu-list dev-right-menu-li"><li><a href="https://www.thenewsmarket.com/eunewsmarket" target="_self" class="dev-menu-item-ga"><strong>EUNewsMarket</strong></a><li><a href="https://www.thenewsmarket.com/sportnewsmarket" target="_self" class="dev-menu-item-ga"><strong>SportNewsMarket</strong></a><li><a href="https://www.thenewsmarket.com/greennewsmarket" target="_self" class="dev-menu-item-ga"><strong>GreenNewsMarket</strong></a><li><a href="https://www.thenewsmarket.com/news-in-french" target="_self" class="dev-menu-item-ga"><strong>News In French</strong></a></ul><div class="d-block d-sm-none"><div class="burger-menu-list-title">Sections</div><div class="burger-menu-list-wrap"><ul class="burger-menu-list"><li><a href="https://www.thenewsmarket.com/newslisting" target="_self" class="dev-menu-item-ga">News </a><li><a href="https://www.thenewsmarket.com/brandnewsrooms" target="_self" class="dev-menu-item-ga">Brand Newsrooms </a><li><a href="https://www.thenewsmarket.com/media" target="_self" class="dev-menu-item-ga">Media Library </a><li><a href="https://www.thenewsmarket.com/collection" target="_self" class="dev-menu-item-ga">Collections </a></ul></div></div><div class="burger-menu-list-title"><div class="d-flex justify-content-between"><span>Brand Newsrooms</span> <a href="/brandnewsrooms" class="text-uppercase" id="devSeeAllBrandsFromMenu">SEE ALL </a></div></div><div class="burger-menu-list-wrap"><ul class="burger-menu-list featured-partners-list dev-right-menu-li"><li><a href="/abu-dhabi-sustainability-week" target="_self" class="dev-menu-item-ga">Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week </a><li><a href="/asics-emea" target="_self" class="dev-menu-item-ga">ASICS EMEA </a><li><a href="/euro-ncap" target="_self" class="dev-menu-item-ga">Euro NCAP </a><li><a href="/international-olympic-committee" target="_self" class="dev-menu-item-ga">International Olympic Committee </a><li><a href="/its-united-kingdom" target="_self" class="dev-menu-item-ga">ITS United Kingdom </a><li><a href="/lamborghini" target="_self" class="dev-menu-item-ga">Lamborghini </a><li><a href="/pwc" target="_self" class="dev-menu-item-ga">PwC </a><li><a href="/fila" target="_self" class="dev-menu-item-ga">Fila </a><li><a href="/speedo" target="_self" class="dev-menu-item-ga">Speedo </a><li><a href="/tomtom" target="_self" class="dev-menu-item-ga">TomTom </a><li><a href="/the-ray" target="_self" class="dev-menu-item-ga">The Ray </a><li><a href="/ips-integrated-project-services-llc" target="_self" class="dev-menu-item-ga">IPS-Integrated Project Services, LLC </a></ul></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></header><script>$(document).on("click","#btnSearch",function(e){setSearchText(e);});$('#txtSearch').keypress(function(e){var key=e.which;if(key==13){setSearchText(e);}});function setSearchText(e){textQuery=encodeURIComponent($('#txtSearch').val());var CultureInUrl=$('#hdnCultureEnabled').val()=='true'?('\/'+$('#hdnCultureEnabled').data('seo-name')+'/'):'';var url=CultureInUrl+"search?searchtext="+textQuery;window.location=url;}</script><main class="tnmn-main" id="maincontent"><input name="__RequestVerificationToken" type="hidden" value="CfDJ8BB_d44EYyVFlrVmaLKL5Gs9c7nkY4O8DaZT_mmow62rDnZFgIL-uG9nie6hEPMFxsIGqaDykHUmobEx76-l5nv62W48HdpJIypQMWYvtqzc5A3BbM3PZ9sXQdZRG0Rue7SPYh1TutkXFliC-jgNmUQ"> <input type="hidden" id="isPreviewStory" name="IsPreview" value="False" data-downloadassetdisabled="Download is disabled in Preview mode." data-downloadallassetdisabled="Download All is disabled in Preview mode." data-addtomediacartdisabled="Add To Media cart is disabled in Preview mode." data-addalltomediacartdisabled="Add All To Media cart is disabled in Preview mode."> <input type="hidden" id="hdnClientAndStoryGuid" value="World Health Organization:28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613" data-story-guid="28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613"> <input type="hidden" id="hdnCultureIds" value="30107"> <input type="hidden" id="hdnCategoryFQPs"> <input type="hidden" id="hdnCurrentCategory"><div id="divStoryDetails" class="story-detail-layout dev-story-layout" data-hide-infinite-scroll="False" data-layout-id="18"><div class="story-detail-section" data-isgated="False"><div class="story-header"><div class="d-flex align-content-center"><div class="flex-shrink-0 flex-grow-1 align-self-center brand-detail-multibrand"><div class="row justify-content-between justify-content-sm-start"><div class="col-auto"><div class="row justify-content-between justify-content-sm-start"><div class="col-auto brand-logo-div align-self-center"><a href="world-health-organization"><figure class="brand-logo align-self-center justify-content-center d-flex"><img class="align-self-center" src="https://preview.thenewsmarket.com/Previews/NonAssetImages/MR_760/source/0c390747-641a-4bf0-bdc2-aeb57ba8914a.jpg" alt="World Health Organization"></figure></a></div><div class="col-auto align-self-center"><div class="brand-detailwrap"><a class="brand-name d-block" href="world-health-organization">World Health Organization</a> <a class="brand-small-text d-block" href="health">Health</a></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="flex-grow-0 d-none d-sm-block text-right story-top-linksdiv align-self-center"><ul class="list-unstyled d-flex flex-row flex-wrap justify-content-end"><li><a href="javascript:void(0)" title="Add All Files to Cart" class="dev-add-story-to-mc" id="add-story-all-files-to-mc" data-guid="28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613" data-addtomediacart="All Files Added To Media Cart" data-noasset="This story does not have any multimedia assets to be added to the media cart."> Add All files to cart </a><li><a href="javascript:void(0)" data-assetguids="28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613" class="dev-download-storyAsset" data-bizdevcompanyid="13400" data-toggle="popover" data-trigger="hover" data-content="<div class='h5 p-2 mb-0'><strong>Highest quality files will be downloaded for all assets. If you need a different quality file please download individually.</strong></div>" data-html="true" data-placement="bottom"> Download All files </a><li class="d-none d-md-inline-block next-storylink"><a id="idNextStory_28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613" class="dev-NextClick" href="javascript:void(0)" title="Next Story"> <span>Next Story</span> <i class="ic ic-caret-right"></i> </a></ul></div></div></div><div class="story-head-section"><section class="story-title-div dev-story-details"><h1 class="story-title">Director−General's opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID−19 – 7 July 2021</h1><div class="story-live-date"><span class="story-live-date-label">Release Date: </span>07 Jul 2021   |   Geneva</div></section><div class="d-md-none"><div><ul class="storyshare-div-device d-flex list-unstyled justify-content-start"><li><a aria-label="Twitter" href="javascript:void(0)" data-socialmedia="twitter" class="story-share-icon dev-tw-share-sd story-share-icon-ga" target="_blank"> <i class="ic ic-twitter"></i> </a><li><a aria-label="Facebook" href="javascript:void(0)" data-socialmedia="facebook" class="story-share-icon dev-fb-share-sd story-share-icon-ga" target="_blank"> <i class="ic ic-facebook"></i> </a><li><input type="hidden" style="display:none" class="myInput"> <a aria-label="Link" href="javascript:void(0)" data-socialmedia="copylink" class="btn-copy story-share-icon story-share-icon-ga"> <i class="ic ic-link"></i> </a><li class="d-none d-sm-block"><a aria-label="Share with Email" href="javascript:void(0)" data-socialmedia="email" class="story-share-icon dev-em-share-sd story-share-icon-ga" target="_blank"> <i class="ic ic-social-email"></i> </a><li class="d-block d-sm-none"><a aria-label="WhatsApp" href="javascript:void(0)" data-socialmedia="whatsapp" class="story-share-icon dev-wh-share-sd story-share-icon-ga"> <i class="ic ic-whatsapp"></i> </a><li><a aria-label="LinkedIn" href="javascript:void(0)" data-socialmedia="linkedin" class="story-share-icon dev-li-share-sd story-share-icon-ga" target="_blank"> <i class="ic ic-social-linkedin"></i> </a></ul></div></div></div><div class="story-container"><div class="story-left-section"><div class="story-hero-div"><div class="hero-video-controls" id="hero_video-controls" data-kaltura-id="1_3a6t3mkp" data-index="28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613"><a aria-label="Play" href="javascript:void(0)" class="hero-video-icon hero-video-icon_28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613 dev-load-story-video" data-asset-guid="17d51c5d-66bf-4856-b6d6-ace27c2c83df" data-kaltura-id="1_3a6t3mkp" data-index="28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613" data-player-id="kaltura_player_28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613" data-mobile-video-id="storydetailVideo_28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613" data-img-cont-div="dev_Video_Play_28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613"> <i class="ic ic-play"></i> </a></div><div id="kaltura_player_28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613" class="video-player-plugin kaltura-playerdiv"><div aria-label="Unmute" class="playkit-unmute-button-container playkit-show-icon-only dev-unmute" style="display:none" role="button"><div class="playkit-btn playkit-btn-dark-transparent playkit-unmute-button"><div class="playkit-unmute-icon-container"><i class="playkit-icon playkit-icon-volume-base"></i> <i class="playkit-icon playkit-icon-volume-mute"></i></div></div></div></div><figure class="m-0" id="dev_Video_Play_28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613"><picture><source media="(max-width: 599px)" srcset="https://preview.thenewsmarket.com/Previews/WHOR/VideoAssets/800x600/WHOR_51326_588561.jpg" width="400" height="300"><source media="(min-width: 600px) and (max-width: 1540px)" srcset="https://preview.thenewsmarket.com/Previews/WHOR/VideoAssets/960x540/WHOR_51326_588561.jpg" width="960" height="540"><img src="https://preview.thenewsmarket.com/Previews/WHOR/VideoAssets/1920x1080/WHOR_51326_588561.jpg" fetchpriority="high" class="dev-video-player-img img16x9_28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613" width="1920" height="1080"> </picture></figure></div><div class="story-content-section"><div class="d-flex"><div class="d-none d-md-block flex-grow-0 flex-shrink-0 story-content-left"><ul class="storyshare-div d-table m-0 list-unstyled"><li><a aria-label="Twitter" href="javascript:void(0)" data-socialmedia="twitter" class="story-share-icon dev-tw-share-sd story-share-icon-ga tw-icon"> <i class="ic ic-twitter"></i> </a><li><a aria-label="Facebook" href="javascript:void(0)" data-socialmedia="facebook" class="story-share-icon dev-fb-share-sd story-share-icon-ga fb-icon"> <i class="ic ic-facebook"></i> </a><li><input type="hidden" style="display:none" class="myInput"> <a aria-label="Link" href="javascript:void(0)" data-socialmedia="copylink" class="btn-copy story-share-icon story-share-icon-ga copylink-icon"> <i class="ic ic-link"></i> </a><li><div class="dropdown filter no-arrow"><button id="dropdownMenuButton6" class="story-share-icon dropdown-toggle more-icon p-0" data-toggle="dropdown" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false" type="button" aria-label="More" aria-controls="socialsharesofstory"> <i class="ic ic-more-dots"></i> </button><div class="dropdown-menu dropdown-menu-left" aria-labelledby="dropdownMenuButton6" id="socialsharesofstory"><div class="scroll-dark-wrap"><div class="scroll-dark-content"><a class="dropdown-item dev-pr-share-sd story-share-icon-ga" data-socialmedia="pinterest" href="javascript:void(0)"><i class="ic ic-social-pinterest"></i> <span>Pinterest</span></a> <a class="dropdown-item dev-li-share-sd story-share-icon-ga" data-socialmedia="linkedin" href="javascript:void(0)"><i class="ic ic-social-linkedin"></i> <span>LinkedIn</span></a> <a class="dropdown-item dev-em-share-sd story-share-icon-ga" data-socialmedia="email" href="javascript:void(0)"><i class="ic ic-social-email"></i> <span>E-Mail</span></a></div></div></div></div></ul></div><div class="flex-grow-1 story-content-middle"><div class="d-flex flex-wrap justify-content-center"><div class="story-content-container"><div class="story-text dev-story-text" id="story-text-28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613"><div class="visible-text" id="visible-text-28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613"><div class="dev-story-desc"><ul><li>Variants are currently winning the race against vaccines because of inequitable vaccine production and distribution, which also threatens the global economic recovery.<li>I have called repeatedly for 10 percent of people in all countries to be vaccinated by September and for that figure to rise to 40 percent by the end of the year. It would position the world on the path to vaccinating 70 percent of the people in all countries by the middle of 2022.<li>I call on the G20 Finance Ministers and other leaders to get behind these targets collectively because it is the fastest way to end the acute stage of the pandemic, save lives and livelihoods and drive a truly global economic recovery.<li>At present, IL-6 receptor blockers remain inaccessible and unaffordable for the majority of the world but it’s within the power of governments and manufacturers to change that. Going forward, it is key that the therapeutic arm of the ACT-Accelerator is fully funded so further research and development can uncover more lifesaving medicines for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.<li>Tomorrow, I will join Her Majesty Queen Mathilde of the Belgians, along with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Unicef Executive Director Henrietta Fore and other leaders to discuss the impact of violence on the mental health of children. As well as looking to accelerate the end of this pandemic, giving children the support they need must be a top priority as we come out of it.<li>Finally, we’re shocked by the tragic news from Haiti and want to pass on our deep condolences for the passing of President of Haiti, Jovenal Moïse.</ul><p>------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<p>Good morning, good afternoon and good evening.<p>The world is at a perilous point in this pandemic.<p>We have just passed the tragic milestone of 4 million recorded COVID-19 deaths, which likely underestimates the overall toll.<p>Some countries with high vaccination coverage are now planning to rollout booster shots in the coming months and are dropping public health social measures and relaxing as though the pandemic is already over.<p>However, compounded by fast moving variants and shocking inequity in vaccination, far too many countries in every region of the world are seeing sharp spikes in cases and hospitalisation.<p>This is leading to an acute shortage of oxygen, treatments and driving a wave of death in parts of Africa, Asia and Latin America.<p>Vaccine nationalism, where a handful of nations have taken the lion’s share, is morally indefensible and an ineffective public health strategy against a respiratory virus that is mutating quickly and becoming increasingly effective at moving from human-to-human.<p>At this stage in the pandemic, the fact that millions of health and care workers have still not been vaccinated is abhorrent.<p>Variants are currently winning the race against vaccines because of inequitable vaccine production and distribution, which also threatens the global economic recovery.<p>It didn’t have to be this way and it doesn’t have to be this way going forward.<p>From a moral, epidemiological or economic point view, now is the time for the world to come together to tackle this pandemic collectively.<p>Later this week, G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors will meet.<p>This is another crucial opportunity for leaders to take urgent steps to end the acute stage of this pandemic, providing the necessary funding to scale up the equitable manufacturing and distribution of health tools.<p>I have called repeatedly for 10 percent of people in all countries to be vaccinated by September and for that figure to rise to 40 percent by the end of the year.<p>It would position the world on the path to vaccinating 70 percent of the people in all countries by the middle of 2022.<p>I call on the G20 Finance Ministers and other leaders to get behind these targets collectively because it is the fastest way to end the acute stage of the pandemic, save lives and livelihoods and drive a truly global economic recovery.<p>===<p>We’re making scientific breakthroughs in global trials, but the impact is limited if we don’t share them equitably.<p>It’s not charity, it’s the best way to end the acute stage of this pandemic, slow virus variants down and drive a global economic recovery.<p>Just yesterday, we recommended the use of IL-6 receptor blockers, a type of monoclonal antibody, in patients with severe or critical COVID-19.<p>This treatment, along with corticosteroids, is strongly recommended for patients with severe or critical disease.<p>This followed a comprehensive new analysis of 27 randomised trials involving nearly 11,000 patients, which found that treating hospitalised COVID-19 patients with IL-6 receptor blockers reduces the risk of death and the need for mechanical ventilation.<p>The study was coordinated by WHO, and is an outstanding example of collaboration amongst trialists and methodologists that allowed us to transparently bring high quality evidence from around the world together, analyse it and develop timely recommendations.<p>The trial demonstrated that for the critically ill, the use of IL-6 receptor blockers led to approximately 28 fewer deaths for every 1,000 patients.<p>The medicines also meant the chance of severe and critically ill patients being put on a ventilator was reduced by 28 percent, compared with standard care.<p>So together with corticosteroids, these drugs help to decouple cases from deaths by saving further lives and preventing people with COVID-19 from progressing to even more severe illness.<p>I also want to put on record my thanks for the global collaboration between international researchers and the patients who agreed to be part of the trials.<p>However, like vaccines and other health tools, this breakthrough will only be effective if we can scale up manufacturing and distribute equitably.<p>At present, IL-6 receptor blockers remain inaccessible and unaffordable for the majority of the world but it’s within the power of governments and manufacturers to change that.<p>Going forward, it is key that the therapeutic arm of the ACT-Accelerator is fully funded so further research and development can uncover more lifesaving medicines for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.<p>===<p>The pandemic has been hard on everyone but it has been particularly difficult for children.<p>The COVID-19 pandemic has led to many more children experiencing domestic violence and psychosocial distress, which has been compounded by disruptions to their education, support networks and care services.<p>We know that violence affected far too many children before the pandemic. It is widespread and often hidden from public view in homes, schools, communities and online.<p>Children who are exposed to violence and trauma are significantly more likely to develop mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic-stress, and behavioral and substance use disorders.<p>They are also more likely to die by suicide.<p>Urgent action is required to address the mental health impacts of violence and trauma experienced during childhood and which has been amplified during this pandemic.<p>Tomorrow, I will join Her Majesty Queen Mathilde of the Belgians, along with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Unicef Executive Director Henrietta Fore and other leaders to discuss the impact of violence on the mental health of children.<p>As well as looking to accelerate the end of this pandemic, giving children the support they need must be a top priority as we come out of it.<p>We must help them come to terms with what they have experienced and have a chance at a more hopeful future.<p>I hope you will join us.<p>Finally, we’re shocked by the tragic news from Haiti and want to pass on our deep condolences for the passing of President of Haiti, Jovenal Moïse.<p>Our condolences to his family and all the people of Haiti at this terrible time.<p>I will now pass back to Tarik.</div></div><div class="invisible-text" id="invisible-text-28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613"></div><div class="see-more d-none d-sm-none" id="see-more-28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613"><button aria-label="Read More" type="button" class="devLoadMoreStoryDetail btn btn-light btn-xl-56 btn-no-radious text-uppercase d-btn-block more" id="more-28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613">Read More</button> <button aria-label="Read less" type="button" class="devLoadLessStoryDetail btn btn-light btn-xl-56 btn-no-radious text-uppercase d-btn-block less" style="display:none" id="less-28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613">Read less</button></div></div></div></div></div><div class="d-none d-xl-block flex-grow-0 flex-shrink-0 story-content-right"></div></div></div></div><aside class="story-aside"><div class="story-right-section"><div class="story-aside-box"><button class="story-aside-head" id="aside-download-head" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#aside-download_28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="aside-download_28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613" type="button"><span class="title">Download Media</span></button><div class="story-aside-content collapse show" id="aside-download_28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613" aria-labelledby="aside-download-head"><nav class="gallery-nav pl-0 pr-0"><ul class="list-unstyled m-0 d-flex flex-wrap" id="dev-ul-gallery"><li class="dev-fil-all active"><a href="javascript:void(0)" role="button" class="dev-mediafilter-All_28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613 dev-filter-selection-storydetail" data-guid="28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613" data-class="all" data-type="0" data-filter-class="dev-fil-all" title="All (2)">All (2)</a><li class="dev-fil-vid"><a href="javascript:void(0)" role="button" class="dev-filter-selection-storydetail" data-guid="28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613" data-class="dev-gel-vid" data-filter-class="dev-fil-vid" data-type="1" title="Videos (1)">Videos (1)</a><li class="dev-fil-aud"><a href="javascript:void(0)" role="button" class="dev-filter-selection-storydetail" data-guid="28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613" data-class="dev-gel-aud" data-filter-class="dev-fil-aud" data-type="2" title="Audio (1)">Audio (1)</a></ul></nav><div class="row showassetlinks"><div class="col-6 col-sm-3 col-md-6 add-tocart-downloadlink d-none d-sm-block"><a href="javascript:void(0)" role="button" class="dev-add-story-to-mc" data-guid="28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613" data-addtomediacart="All Files Added To Media Cart" data-noasset="This story does not have any multimedia assets to be added to the media cart.">Add All files to cart</a></div><div class="col-6 col-sm-3 col-md-6 add-tocart-downloadlink d-sm-none"><a href="javascript:void(0)" role="button" title="Add All Files to Cart" class="dev-add-story-to-mc" data-guid="28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613" data-addtomediacart="All Files Added To Media Cart" data-noasset="This story does not have any multimedia assets to be added to the media cart.">Add All to Cart</a></div><div class="col-6 col-sm-3 col-md-6 add-tocart-downloadlink dev-download-storyAsset" data-bizdevcompanyid="13400" data-assetguids="28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613"><a href="javascript:void(0)" role="button" data-toggle="popover" data-trigger="hover" data-content="<div class='h5 p-2 mb-0'><strong>Highest quality files will be downloaded for all assets. If you need a different quality file please download individually.</strong></div>" data-html="true" data-placement="bottom">Download All</a></div></div><div class="dev-media-partial_28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613"><div class="row"><div class="assetKey_28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613 assetStoryElement col-6 col-sm-3 col-md-6 openAmpPopUp" data-id="28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613" data-type="1"><div tabindex="0" class="story-aside-image"><figure class="m-0"><img class="img-view" src="https://preview.thenewsmarket.com/Previews/WHOR/VideoAssets/320x320/WHOR_51326_588561.jpg" width="150" height="150" loading="lazy"> <img alt="" data-index="0" data-is-media-cart="False" data-asset-guid="17d51c5d-66bf-4856-b6d6-ace27c2c83df" class="img-fluid" width="150" height="150" src="/dist/images/placeholders/placeholder-1x1.png" loading="lazy"></figure><div class="story-action-div"><ul class="list-unstyled"><li><span role="button" title="Add To Cart" aria-label="Add To Cart" tabindex="0" class="media-cart-action dev-add-asset-to-mc" data-guid="17d51c5d-66bf-4856-b6d6-ace27c2c83df" data-asset-guid-with-culture="en-US:17d51c5d-66bf-4856-b6d6-ace27c2c83df" data-addtomediacart="File Added To Media Cart" data-already-in-cart="Already Added to Media Cart"><i class="ic ic-media-cart"></i></span><li class="story-action-item" data-asset-type="1"><span role="button" title="Play" aria-label="Play" tabindex="0" data-index="0" data-asset-type="1" data-is-media-cart="False" data-guid="28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613" data-asset-guid="17d51c5d-66bf-4856-b6d6-ace27c2c83df" class="media-action-icon dev-open-amp-popup"><i class="ic ic-play"></i></span><li><span role="button" title="Download File" aria-label="Download File" tabindex="0" class="download-action dev-download-singleAsset" data-colorscheme="" data-guid="28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613" data-assetguid="17d51c5d-66bf-4856-b6d6-ace27c2c83df" data-isdownloadable="True" data-downloadgatingconfigassets="0" data-bizdevcompanyid="13400"><i class="ic ic-arrow-down"></i></span></ul></div></div></div><input class="asset-data" data-asset-still_previewsize="0B" data-asset-still_productionsize="0B" data-asset-available="True" data-asset-guid="17d51c5d-66bf-4856-b6d6-ace27c2c83df" data-asset-guid-with-culture="en-US:17d51c5d-66bf-4856-b6d6-ace27c2c83df" data-asset-height="1080" data-asset-id="588561" data-asset-isenableformat="" data-asset-isgated="False" data-asset-isdownloadable="True" data-asset-kalturamediaflavors="0:349458,487041:20034,487051:28495,487061:40363,487071:57790,487081:86856,487091:177848" data-asset-kalturamediaid="1_3a6t3mkp" data-asset-media-url="https://preview.thenewsmarket.com/Previews/WHOR/VideoAssets/320x320/WHOR_51326_588561.jpg" data-asset-payload-downloadgatingconfig="0" data-asset-type="Video" type="hidden"><div class="assetKey_28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613 assetStoryElement col-6 col-sm-3 col-md-6 openAmpPopUp" data-id="28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613" data-type="2"><div tabindex="0" class="story-aside-image"><figure class="m-0"><img class="img-view" src="https://Preview.thenewsmarket.com/Previews/AudioThumbnails/320x320/audio.png" width="150" height="150" loading="lazy"> <img alt="" data-index="1" data-is-media-cart="False" data-asset-guid="a37829cd-7e55-470d-b86d-3eaff8b2a056" class="img-fluid" width="150" height="150" src="/dist/images/placeholders/placeholder-1x1.png" loading="lazy"></figure><div class="story-action-div"><ul class="list-unstyled"><li><span role="button" title="Add To Cart" aria-label="Add To Cart" tabindex="0" class="media-cart-action dev-add-asset-to-mc" data-guid="a37829cd-7e55-470d-b86d-3eaff8b2a056" data-asset-guid-with-culture="en-US:a37829cd-7e55-470d-b86d-3eaff8b2a056" data-addtomediacart="File Added To Media Cart" data-already-in-cart="Already Added to Media Cart"><i class="ic ic-media-cart"></i></span><li class="story-action-item" data-asset-type="2"><span role="button" title="Play" aria-label="Play" tabindex="0" data-index="1" data-asset-type="2" data-is-media-cart="False" data-guid="28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613" data-asset-guid="a37829cd-7e55-470d-b86d-3eaff8b2a056" class="media-action-icon dev-open-amp-popup"><i class="ic ic-play"></i></span><li><span role="button" title="Download File" aria-label="Download File" tabindex="0" class="download-action dev-download-singleAsset" data-colorscheme="" data-guid="28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613" data-assetguid="a37829cd-7e55-470d-b86d-3eaff8b2a056" data-isdownloadable="True" data-downloadgatingconfigassets="0" data-bizdevcompanyid="13400"><i class="ic ic-arrow-down"></i></span></ul></div></div></div><input class="asset-data" data-asset-still_previewsize="0B" data-asset-still_productionsize="41.59 MB" data-asset-available="True" data-asset-guid="a37829cd-7e55-470d-b86d-3eaff8b2a056" data-asset-guid-with-culture="en-US:a37829cd-7e55-470d-b86d-3eaff8b2a056" data-asset-height="0" data-asset-id="588562" data-asset-isenableformat="" data-asset-isgated="False" data-asset-isdownloadable="True" data-asset-kalturamediaflavors="" data-asset-kalturamediaid="" data-asset-media-url="https://Preview.thenewsmarket.com/Previews/AudioThumbnails/320x320/audio.png" data-asset-payload-downloadgatingconfig="0" data-asset-type="Audio" type="hidden"><div class="col-6 col-sm-3 col-md-6 openAmpPopUp showMoreCount_28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613" style="display:none"><div class="showMore-aside-image_28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613 story-aside-image story-more-assets"><figure class="m-0"><img class="img-fluid dev-img-showmore_28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613" src="/dist/images/placeholders/placeholder-1x1.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" loading="lazy"></figure><div class="story-action-div justify-content-center media-count"><a tabindex="0" data-gallery-index="0" href="javascript:void(0)" data-guid="28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613" class="dev-open-amp-popup-gallery story-more-link justify-content-center"> <span class="align-self-center">+<span class="showMore_28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613"></span></span> </a></div></div></div><input type="hidden" name="assetguids" value="en-US:17d51c5d-66bf-4856-b6d6-ace27c2c83df,en-US:a37829cd-7e55-470d-b86d-3eaff8b2a056"></div></div></div></div><div class="story-aside-box"><button class="story-aside-head collapsed" id="aside-related-head" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#aside-related_28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="aside-related_28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613" type="button"><span class="title">Related Links</span></button><div class="story-aside-content collapse" id="aside-related_28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613" aria-labelledby="aside-related-head"><ul class="story-related-links list-unstyled"><li><a href="https://who.canto.global/s/M741M?viewIndex=0" target="_blank">WHO-BROLL Emergencies Coronavirus Press Conference Full 07JUL2021</a><li><a href="https://who.canto.global/v/coronavirus/landing?viewIndex=1" target="_blank">Media assets and information on COVID-19</a></ul></div></div><div class="story-aside-box"><button class="story-aside-head collapsed" id="aside-tags-head" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#aside-tags_28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="aside-tags_28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613" type="button"><span class="title">Tags</span></button><div class="story-aside-content collapse" id="aside-tags_28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613" aria-labelledby="aside-tags-head"><ul class="story-tags-links list-unstyled"><li><a data-tag="Queen Mathilde of the Belgians" href="Tags?tags=Queen%20Mathilde%20of%20the%20Belgians" target="_self">Queen Mathilde of the Belgians</a><li><a data-tag="Global Economic Recovery" href="Tags?tags=Global%20Economic%20Recovery" target="_self">Global Economic Recovery</a><li><a data-tag="Vaccine nationalism" href="Tags?tags=Vaccine%20nationalism" target="_self">Vaccine nationalism</a><li><a data-tag="Dr Tedros Adhanom" href="Tags?tags=Dr%20Tedros%20Adhanom" target="_self">Dr Tedros Adhanom</a><li><a data-tag="Antonio Guterres" href="Tags?tags=Antonio%20Guterres" target="_self">Antonio Guterres</a><li><a data-tag="Henrietta Fore" href="Tags?tags=Henrietta%20Fore" target="_self">Henrietta Fore</a><li><a data-tag="IL-6 receptor" href="Tags?tags=IL-6%20receptor" target="_self">IL-6 receptor</a><li><a data-tag="COVID-19" href="Tags?tags=COVID-19" target="_self">COVID-19</a><li><a data-tag="Vaccines" href="Tags?tags=Vaccines" target="_self">Vaccines</a><li><a data-tag="Pandemic" href="Tags?tags=Pandemic" target="_self">Pandemic</a></ul></div></div><div class="story-aside-box"><button class="story-aside-head" id="aside-media-head" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#aside-media_28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="aside-media_28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613" type="button"><span class="title">media Contact</span></button><div class="story-aside-content collapse show" id="aside-media_28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613" aria-labelledby="aside-media-head"><div class="row"><div class="media-contact-box col-sm-6 col-md-12"><div class="address-div"><span class="media-contact-name">Client Relations</span><br> <a href="mailto:clientrelations@thenewsmarket.com" class="GTM-dev-media-contact">clientrelations@thenewsmarket.com</a><div>TheNewsMarket</div></div><button type="button" class="w-100 media-contact-button text-center mt-4 dev-media-contact-button"> Register here to access<br> brand contact details </button></div></div></div></div><div class="story-aside-box aside-company-info"><button class="story-aside-head collapsed" id="aside-company-info-head" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#aside-company-info_28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="aside-company-info_28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613" type="button"><span class="title">Company Information</span></button><div class="story-aside-content collapse" id="aside-company-info_28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613" aria-labelledby="aside-company-info-head"><div class="company-info-div"><p>The World Health Organization is a specialised agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. WHO's primary role is to direct and coordinate international health within the United Nations' system and to lead partners in global health responses.</div></div></div><div class="row no-gutters"><div class="story-aside-box col-12 col-sm-6 col-md-12 col-lg-12 mb-sm-0 mb-0 mb-md-45 pr-sm-45 pr-md-0"><a href="https://www.thenewsmarket.com/greennewsmarket" class="story-aside-box-banner GTM-dev-storydetail-banner" target="_self"> <img src="dist/images/placeholders/placeholder-1x1.png" data-src="/dist/images/story-banners/cop26_new.jpg" alt="Green news market - Go Green" class="w-100 lazy"> </a></div><div class="story-aside-box col-12 col-sm-6 col-md-12 col-lg-12"><div class="story-aside-subscribe text-center"><div class="aside-subscribe-text">Subscribe Today. Get the news alerts you want, when you want them.</div><button type="button" class="btn d-btn-block btn-dark btn-story-subscribe btn-no-radious text-uppercase" data-toggle="ajax-subscribe-modal" data-from="index" data-url="Subscription?handler=SubscribePopUpPartial" data-page="0">Subscribe</button></div></div></div></div></aside></div><input type="hidden" value="28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613" name="passedStoryGuid" data-categoryid="30107"> <input type="hidden" id="assetDataType"> <input type="hidden" id="assetDataTypeId" data-value=""> <input type="hidden" id="hdnStory_28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613"> <input type="hidden" id="assetDisplayCount" value="6"> <input type="hidden" id="app_culture" value="en-US"> <input type="hidden" id="hdnguid" value="28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613"> <input type="hidden" id="hdncategoryname" value="news"> <input type="hidden" id="hdntitle" value="Director−General's opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID−19 – 7 July 2021"> <input type="hidden" id="hdncategorylivedate" value="7/7/2021 10:13:00 AM"> <input type="hidden" id="hdnIsValid" value="true"> <input type="hidden" id="hdnStoryGuidList"> <input type="hidden" id="hdnNextGuid"> <input type="hidden" id="hdnIsScrolled"> <input type="hidden" id="hdnentities" value="COVID-19,World Health Organization"> <input type="hidden" id="hdnIsShowConsentOnEmbedUrl" value="False"> <input type="hidden" id="hdnChoosedifferentBrowserMsg" value="This browser does not support playing this video. Please choose another browser to play video."><div class="related-news section-wrap news-wrap"><div id="latestnewsid_28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613" class="dev-latestnews-container" data-seoname="news" data-subcatseonames="" data-trendings_count="6" data-title="Director−General's opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID−19 – 7 July 2021" data-related-stories="" data-livedate="7/7/2021 10:13:00 AM" data-clientname="World Health Organization" data-contentguid="28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613" data-isrelatednews="True" data-viewname="" data-entities="COVID-19,World Health Organization" data-story-brand="news"></div></div><div class="dev-event-container"></div></div><a aria-label="See More" style="display:none" href="javascript:void(0)" id="tnmloadMore">See More</a></div></main><footer><div class="footer-top"><div class="row no-gutters"><div class="col-lg-4 col-xl-3"><div class="subscribe"><h2 class="title">Subscribe to our news alerts and stay informed. <span class="go-to-up-static d-md-none" role="button" tabindex="0"><i class="ic ic-chevron-up"></i></span></h2><div class="input-form custom-form"><div class="form-group"><label class="form-control-label" for="txtSubscribeEmailId"> Enter your email address</label> <input type="email" name="text" id="txtSubscribeEmailId" class="form-control form-input dev-subscribeEmail"> <small class="invalid-feedback invalid_subscribe_email">Please enter valid email address.</small></div><button type="button" class="btn d-btn-block d-sm-btn-inline-block btn-white btn-xl btn-no-radious text-uppercase btnFooterSubscribe" data-toggle="ajax-subscribe-modal" data-url="Subscription?handler=SubscribePopUpPartial">Stay Up To Date</button></div></div></div><div class="col-lg-7 col-xl-7 offset-lg-1 offset-xl-2"><div class="row no-gutters"><div class="col-sm-4 link-wrap"><div class="link-title collapsed d-block d-sm-none" id="platform-user" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#list1" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="list1" role="button">Platform Users <i class="ic ic-minus colp-ic d-block d-sm-none"></i></div><div class="link-title d-none d-sm-block">Platform Users <i class="ic ic-minus colp-ic d-block d-sm-none"></i></div><div id="list1" class="collapse" aria-labelledby="platform-user"><ul class="link-list"><li><a href="ContactUs" target="_self"><span>Contact us</span></a><li><a href="SendFeedback" target="_self"><span>Send feedback</span></a><li><a href="HelpCenter" target="_self"><span>Help center</span></a><li><a href="TermsConditions" target="_self"><span>Terms and conditions</span></a><li><a href="Privacy" target="_self"><span>Privacy policy</span></a><li><a href="cookiepolicy" target="_self"><span>Cookie preferences</span></a><li><a href="javascript:void(0)" id="lnkChangeSubscription" target="_self" style="display:none"><span>Change Subscription</span></a></ul></div></div><div class="col-sm-4 link-wrap"><div class="link-title collapsed d-block d-sm-none" id="about-solution" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#list2" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="list2" role="button">Brand Solutions <i class="ic ic-minus colp-ic d-block d-sm-none"></i></div><div class="link-title d-none d-sm-block">Brand Solutions <i class="ic ic-minus colp-ic d-block d-sm-none"></i></div><div id="list2" class="collapse" aria-labelledby="about-solution"><ul class="link-list"><li><a href="javascript:void(0)" data-toggle="dev-brand-solutions-model"><span>Get in touch</span></a><li><a href="about" target="_self"><span>About TheNewsMarket</span></a><li><a href="https://www.dma-media.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span>DMA Media</span></a></ul></div></div><div class="col-sm-4 link-wrap"><div class="link-title collapsed d-block d-sm-none" id="social-expand" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#list3" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="list3" role="button">Social <i class="ic ic-minus colp-ic d-block d-sm-none"></i></div><div class="link-title d-none d-sm-block">Social <i class="ic ic-minus colp-ic d-block d-sm-none"></i><div class="go-to-up-static d-none d-md-block" role="button" tabindex="0"><i class="ic ic-chevron-up"></i></div></div><div id="list3" class="collapse" aria-labelledby="social-expand"><ul class="link-list"><li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thenewsmarket" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span>Facebook</span> <i class="ic ic-arrow-right-corner"></i></a><li><a href="https://twitter.com/TheNewsMarket" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span>Twitter</span> <i class="ic ic-arrow-right-corner"></i></a><li><a href="https://in.linkedin.com/company/the-newsmarket" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span>LinkedIn</span> <i class="ic ic-arrow-right-corner"></i></a><li><a href="mailto:info@thenewsmarket.com" target="_self"><span>Email</span> <i class="ic ic-arrow-right-corner"></i></a><li><a href="list-of-feeds" target="_self"><span>RSS</span> <i class="ic ic-arrow-right-corner"></i></a></ul></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="footer-bottom"><div class="row"><div class="col-sm-4 order-sm-2 text-sm-right"><ul class="list-unstyled list-inline lang-list"><li><a href="javascript:void(0)">English</a><li><a href="javascript:void(0)">Global</a></ul></div><div class="col-sm-8 order-sm-1 copy-right">© 2025 TheNewsMarket. All Rights Reserved.</div></div></div></footer><div id="modal-placeholder"></div><div id="flyout-message-placeholder"></div><div id="subscription-placeholder"></div><div class="page-overlay" id="loading-overlay-spinner"><div class="spinner"><div class="bounce1"></div><div class="bounce2"></div><div class="bounce3"></div></div></div><div class="dev-mediacart-popup media-cart-popup"></div><div class="amp-popup media-cart-popup dev-media-cart-popup empty-media-cart dev-emptycart"></div><div id="sendmediacart-placeholder"></div><div class="growls-msg"><i class="ic ic-growls loader-animation"></i> <span>adding all to cart</span></div><form method="post"><input type="hidden" id="RequestVerificationToken" name="RequestVerificationToken" value="CfDJ8BB_d44EYyVFlrVmaLKL5Gs9c7nkY4O8DaZT_mmow62rDnZFgIL-uG9nie6hEPMFxsIGqaDykHUmobEx76-l5nv62W48HdpJIypQMWYvtqzc5A3BbM3PZ9sXQdZRG0Rue7SPYh1TutkXFliC-jgNmUQ"> <input name="__RequestVerificationToken" type="hidden" value="CfDJ8BB_d44EYyVFlrVmaLKL5Gs9c7nkY4O8DaZT_mmow62rDnZFgIL-uG9nie6hEPMFxsIGqaDykHUmobEx76-l5nv62W48HdpJIypQMWYvtqzc5A3BbM3PZ9sXQdZRG0Rue7SPYh1TutkXFliC-jgNmUQ"></form><div id="amp_dynamic"></div><input type="hidden" name="isUserAuthenticated" value="False" data-restrictdownloadforcompanies=""> <input type="hidden" name="AssetsInCartMessage" value="Welcome back, You have assets in your Media Cart."> <input type="hidden" id="hdnGTMLoginStatus" value="NonLoggedInUser"> <input type="hidden" id="hdnCultureEnabled" value="false" data-seo-name=""> <input type="hidden" id="DownloadMode" value=" -1"> <input type="hidden" name="Asset.DownloadAllPreparingFile" value="We are preparing your file now."> <input type="hidden" id="hdnsocialMediaEmail"> <input type="hidden" id="hdnsocialMediaName"> <input type="hidden" id="hdnsocialMediaId" value="0"> <input type="hidden" id="hdncs"> <span class="issuccess d-none">False</span> <span class="redirecturl d-none"></span> <span class="failreasonid d-none">0</span> <span class="hdnRestrictDownloadForCompanies d-none"></span><div id="devAddFileToMediacatFlyout" class="error-flyout-wrap bg-light-black d-flex flex-column flex-sm-row"><div class="desc flex-grow-0 align-self-center Download-msg-flyout"><span class="popupmessage" role="alert">File added to media cart.</span> <button aria-label="Close" type="button" class="btn-close dev-PreviewPopupCloseOnclick"><i class="ic ic-close"></i></button></div></div><script src="/Scripts/vendors/jquery/js.cookie.min.js"></script><script src="/Scripts/bundles/vendor-bundle.js?v=iO9OnP6CwhOiWRc3mGuW2zKzrF9Gc_O-1OX93j-_rmw"></script><script src="/Scripts/bundles/common-bundle.js?v=cYP4WURshHthk9QX96EVuDSwiUzf8vUVvYFSWVUUOns"></script><script src="https://cdnapisec.kaltura.com/p/2541982/embedPlaykitJs/uiconf_id/44376931" defer></script><script type="application/ld+json">{"@context":"http://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","url":"https://www.thenewsmarket.com/news/director-general-s-opening-remarks-at-the-media-briefing-on-covid-19---7-july-2021/s/28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"World Health Organization"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"World Health Organization","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://preview.thenewsmarket.com/Previews/NonAssetImages/MR_760/source/0c390747-641a-4bf0-bdc2-aeb57ba8914a.jpg"}},"headline":"Director−General's opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID−19 – 7 July 2021","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.thenewsmarket.com/news/director-general-s-opening-remarks-at-the-media-briefing-on-covid-19---7-july-2021/s/28fded45-c1ca-43da-aa32-e764cdb4c613"},"articleBody":"Variants are currently winning the race against vaccines because of inequitable vaccine production and distribution, which also threatens the global economic recovery. I have called repeatedly...","image":["https://preview.thenewsmarket.com/Previews/WHOR/VideoAssets/1920x1080/WHOR_51326_588561.jpg","https://preview.thenewsmarket.com/Previews/WHOR/VideoAssets/320x320/WHOR_51326_588561.jpg"],"datePublished":"2021-07-07T10:13:00","dateModified":"2021-07-07T10:13:00","isPartOf":{"@type":"Website","@id":"https://www.thenewsmarket.com/","name":"TheNewsMarket","inLanguage":"en"},"inLanguage":"as per rule"}</script><script src="/Scripts/bundles/storydetailpage-bundle.js?v=vQJwsBmjhM8fc6G4rm0UWRMo-_UlFB7rgKWJwDU8tQk"></script><script>$(document).ready(function(){setTimeout(function(){var optMark='';if(window.clarity){if(optMark=="true"){window.clarity('consent');}}},100);});</script><script src="https://cdn.onesignal.com/sdks/OneSignalSDK.js" async></script><script>var useragentid=null;var OneSignal=window.OneSignal||[];var initConfig={appId:"1b99b696-6c9f-451a-9e20-f6d6ac6af681",autoRegister:false,notifyButton:{enable:false},persistNotification:false};OneSignal.push(function(){OneSignal.init(initConfig);});</script><script src="/Scripts/custom/onesignal.js" async></script><div id="dialog-form" class="notification-box active" style="display:none"><div class="notification-box-detail"><div class="notification-image"><img alt="Notification icon" src="/dist/images/onesignalnotificationicon.png" loading="lazy" width="80" height="80"></div><div class="notification-content">We'd like to send you notifications for the latest news and updates. Alerts will appear in your browser. To turn them off go to your browser settings. <strong>Choose your preferred topics below:</strong></div></div><div class="notification-content-footer"><div id="validate-div" class="text-danger mb-45" style="display:none">Please select atleast one topic</div><ul id="frmBrowser-notification" class="notification-content-list"><li><div class="checkbox checkbox-dark"><input type="checkbox" value="automotive" name="category" id="automotive" class="chkSegmentName" checked> <label for="automotive">Automotive</label></div><li><div class="checkbox checkbox-dark"><input type="checkbox" value="business-industry" name="category" id="business-industry" class="chkSegmentName" checked> <label for="business-industry">Business & Industry</label></div><li><div class="checkbox checkbox-dark"><input type="checkbox" value="charity-education" name="category" id="charity-education" class="chkSegmentName" checked> <label for="charity-education">Charity & Education</label></div><li><div class="checkbox checkbox-dark"><input type="checkbox" value="culture-entertainment" name="category" id="culture-entertainment" class="chkSegmentName" checked> <label for="culture-entertainment">Culture & Entertainment</label></div><li><div class="checkbox checkbox-dark"><input type="checkbox" value="environment-energy" name="category" id="environment-energy" class="chkSegmentName" checked> <label for="environment-energy">Environment & Energy</label></div><li><div class="checkbox checkbox-dark"><input type="checkbox" value="retail-fashion" name="category" id="retail-fashion" class="chkSegmentName" checked> <label for="retail-fashion">Retail & Fashion</label></div><li><div class="checkbox checkbox-dark"><input type="checkbox" value="health" name="category" id="health" class="chkSegmentName" checked> <label for="health">Health</label></div><li><div class="checkbox checkbox-dark"><input type="checkbox" value="lifestyle" name="category" id="lifestyle" class="chkSegmentName" checked> <label for="lifestyle">Lifestyle</label></div><li><div class="checkbox checkbox-dark"><input type="checkbox" value="politics-economics" name="category" id="politics-economics" class="chkSegmentName" checked> <label for="politics-economics">Politics & Economics</label></div><li><div class="checkbox checkbox-dark"><input type="checkbox" value="sports" name="category" id="sports" class="chkSegmentName" checked> <label for="sports">Sports</label></div><li><div class="checkbox checkbox-dark"><input type="checkbox" value="technology" name="category" id="technology" class="chkSegmentName" checked> <label for="technology">Technology</label></div><li><div class="checkbox checkbox-dark"><input type="checkbox" value="travel-leisure" name="category" id="travel-leisure" class="chkSegmentName" checked> <label for="travel-leisure">Travel & Leisure</label></div><li class="subscribe-to-all-li"><div class="checkbox checkbox-dark"><input type="checkbox" value="selectAll" name="chkAllSegmentname" id="chkAllSegment" checked> <label for="chkAllSegment"><strong>Subscribe to all</strong></label></div></ul></div><div class="notification-footer"><button type="button" class="brow-noti-cancelbtn">No Thanks</button> <button type="button" class="brow-noti-closebtn" style="display:none">Close</button> <button type="button" class="brow-noti-Allowbtn">Allow</button></div></div><input type="hidden" id="hdnVideoNotAvailable" value="Video not available."> <input type="hidden" id="hdnLinkCopiedToClipboardMsg" value="Link copied to clipboard.">