Statement by U.S. Ambassador Bathsheba Crocker
at the 76th World Health Assembly
Implementation of Resolution WHA75.11 (2022), Agenda Item 15.2
Geneva, Switzerland
The United States thanks all delegations for their statements and willingness to meet repeatedly this week to discuss the Implementation of Resolution WHA75.11.
We affirm our unfailing support for Ukraine’s proposed decision on the health emergency in Ukraine, and refugee-receiving and hosting countries, stemming from the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine. We do not support the Russian Federation’s resolution that sought to undermine WHA75.11 by introducing an unbalanced, competing resolution.
Under the thoroughly disingenuous veneer of neutrality, Russia’s resolution attempted to absolve the Russian Federation of all responsibility for its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and for the health emergency the Russian Federation alone triggered.
We must not overlook the millions of people displaced, the hundreds of attacks on health care facilities, and the unconscionable civilian death toll because of Russia’s brutality, which has caused significant impacts on health both within and well beyond Ukraine.
The humanitarian crisis caused by Putin’s war of choice is indefensible. This isn’t about politicization; this is about the health and welfare of millions and the need to hold Russia to account for its unprovoked and illegal war against Ukraine—a war of its choosing which has caused mass destruction and made resolution 75.11 necessary.
In addition, Russia’s criticism of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Surveillance System for Attacks on Health Care (SSA) is not based on any objective evidence. Accusations not based on any factually accurate evidence do not belong in resolutions.
Ukraine’s decision builds responsibly on WHA75.11, calling for continued reporting on the implementation of WHA75.11, and is the next logical step after the Secretariat’s update of the related report from EB152, published two days ago.
Finally, Mr. Chairman, we emphasize that our partnership with, and commitment to, the people of Ukraine is steadfast and enduring. The United States will continue to stand with Ukraine and its people in this crisis. We urge WHO member states to do the same.
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