Over the past year, the world’s attention continued to be dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Health has remained on the highest of political agendas, and the potential for health emergencies to have repercussions across all sectors of society and in all countries is clear.

Globally, we have seen inequities in the distribution of test kits, personal protective equipment and vaccines, leaving African countries at the back of the queue time and again.

However, we have also seen strong African leadership, putting public health first, mobilizing expertise and resources built in response to past epidemics, and tackling COVID-19 while simultaneously driving action on multiple fronts to improve health.

As WHO, we have leveraged our country office teams in every Member State, backed by a strong Regional Office, to provide guidance, build capacities and advance research and innovation. We have shifted to new ways of working, using virtual missions, events and round-the-clock support, to facilitate inclusive dialogue, expand our reach and engage more people as health advocates. In addition to the COVID-19 response, we have recorded key achievements in other areas.

The private sector has stepped up as a valuable partner in response to COVID-19, signalling the possibilities that are within reach, if this collaboration becomes the norm in health and development.

COVID-19 will not be the last threat we face. It is a stark warning to invest in preparedness and resilience to safeguard health, development and security.

COVID-19 will not be the last threat we face. It is a stark warning to invest in preparedness and resilience to safeguard health, development and security. This includes building on the momentum around local production and actively scaling up homegrown solutions to the challenges that communities face.