Malaysia says pandemic prevention and preparedness must be shared global responsibility, Tok Mat tells UN

Malaysia has emphasized that pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response must be recognized as both a national duty and a shared global responsibility, drawing upon lessons learned from the Covid-19 pandemic. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan conveyed this message during Malaysia's statement at the High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response in New York.

Discussing the nation's commitment to this global cause, Mohamad highlighted the implementation of the Malaysia National Action Plan for Health Security 2025–2030. This plan focuses on enhancing health-system readiness, integrated surveillance and early warning systems, laboratory capacity, emergency coordination, and a prepared health workforce.

Malaysia's approach also includes the 'One Health' strategy, which aims to mitigate microbiological threats in food, water, and the environment. The foreign minister stressed that a comprehensive public health strategy can only be effective when supported by equity. Malaysia welcomes the World Health Organization's (WHO) Pandemic Agreement and calls for a robust and equitable Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing Annex.

This annex should equally focus on pathogen sharing and benefit-sharing while respecting national laws and state sovereignty.

Equity must be supported by the ability to research, develop, and produce essential health products. Malaysia is addressing this need through its National Vaccine Development Roadmap 2021–2030, which aims to strengthen these capabilities. Looking to the future, Mohamad emphasized that the collective ambition of all nations must be matched by sustainable financing. He stressed that international mechanisms should complement domestic investment, strengthen national capacities, and reinforce universal health coverage.

The ultimate test of this meeting, according to Mohamad, will be the effectiveness of the commitments made in detecting threats earlier, containing them faster, and ensuring fairer access to life-saving tools. He urged participants to make solidarity a permanent commitment rather than an improvised response to crises. The High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response was held under the theme "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" at the UN Headquarters.