Montenegro Health Minister calls for global pandemic solidarity at UN

Montenegrin Health Minister Vojislav Šimun addressed a high-level meeting on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response at the United Nations headquarters in New York during the 81st UN General Assembly.

Šimun emphasized that health solidarity is an obligation to future generations rather than a choice. He expressed support for the World Health Organization’s Political Declaration and Pandemic Agreement, viewing them as essential steps toward a more coordinated global response to future health crises.

Reflecting on the COVID-19 pandemic, the Minister noted that preparedness and resilience cannot be improvised once a crisis begins. He voiced support for the global goal of making diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics available within 100 days of identifying a pandemic threat. However, he highlighted that small nations cannot develop or produce these resources independently and require regional and global cooperation, including rapid data exchange and secure supply chains.