Baku: We must restore trust in order to respond to threats together, said Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at the opening ceremony of the 13th Global Baku Forum, APA reports.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Ghebreyesus emphasized the significance of concluding discussions at this year's World Health Assembly, with the hope that the Pandemic Agreement will soon be open for signature and become effective. He highlighted that the process is challenging but necessary, as countries engage in this multilateral cooperation not out of altruism but for national interests.

Ghebreyesus pointed out that the goal of multilateral cooperation is not to erase differences but to manage shared risks. He expressed concern over the current threats to the multilateral system, particularly in light of the United States withdrawing from the international cooperation framework it once helped establish. Despite these challenges, he remains confident that the WHO will become stronger and more independent following its recent prioritization and restructuring phase.

He underscored the interconnectedness of humanity, stating, "We are a single species on the same planet with the same DNA and the same threats. Ultimately, our future is a shared future." Ghebreyesus concluded by reiterating the necessity of restoring trust to effectively respond to global threats.