Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) – On 24-26 October 2020, the World Health Summit was held via videoconference with the support of WHO with the participation of 2,500 delegates - representatives of states, international organizations and the scientific community.

The purpose of the event is to discuss global health problems and ways to solve them. During the summit, key health issues were discussed:

a) transformations in the field of medicine;

b) increased investment in innovation, research and solutions to health problems;

c) ensuring equal access to quality and affordable medicines and medical goods;

d) accelerating the digitalization process.

A number of country leaders made a call for strengthening and increasing the effectiveness of cross-border cooperation.

In his video message, UN Secretary General António Guterres said that "COVID-19 further removes countries from the implementation of what is outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development." 

Guterres believes that "today, more than ever, it is necessary to rely on science and act in a spirit of unity and solidarity." In this regard, the head of the UN proposes to solve the problem in an integrated manner, competently combining advanced research with basic measures in the field of health.

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said that the fight against coronavirus could be "a model for a real global health contract." In her opinion, "this requires a clear leadership role and the European Union must take on this responsibility."

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier called for overcoming the pandemic "in the spirit of cooperation", and not in the spirit of "vaccine nationalism". According to him, the real way out of the pandemic will be "unprecedented international efforts to find treatment, diagnostics and vaccines." In particular, F. Steinmeier called on the United States to join the COVAX initiative to help develop and distribute the coronavirus vaccine internationally.

In general, against the backdrop of a sharp deterioration in the epidemiological situation in the world, the participants of the event, mainly from European countries, do not lose hope for uniting the efforts of the international community in the field of solving acute health problems, and also call for "to act as a united front" against COVID-19.