U.S. Statement
Geneva,
July 9, 2009
The United States wishes to thank the President of ECOSOC and all the delegations who worked collaboratively to draft a strong, forward-leaning Ministerial Declaration on the importance of implementing the commitments on global public health. We appreciate the flexibility that has been shown by all, including the G77 and the European Union and especially Japan, in articulating the way forward. We have all agreed on the need to strengthen health systems, improve maternal mortality, promote human rights related to sexual and reproductive health, and protect intellectual property rights.
We regret that some of our negotiating partners could not agree to mention the principle of human security – a concept that encompasses so many of the social determinants of health that we underline in our Declaration. This concept is one that is of great importance to Japan, one of the most generous and important donor countries in the field of development and health. We encourage member states to work with Japan, in this and other UN fora, to further elaborate the concept of human security and build a consensus around its actualization.
Madam President, in closing, let me again thank you for the skillful and dedicated way you and your team have led us to this successful conclusion.