Coronavirus led to 'immense' damage to world economy: Dr Harsh Vardhan

"In the era of globalisation, when the world is a large home to all humanity, the risk and challenge to spread of a disease is even bigger since it does not distinguish between boundaries of countries."

He also urged the WHO members "to forge multi-sectoral collaboration to mobilise and galvanise global response, support and cooperation to fight communicable and non-communicable diseases more effectively".

There is a need to explore innovative ways to address new threats and challenges in the post-pandemic phase, he added. He further stressed on the mutual "need to come together to be more responsive in terms of managing the new challenges being faced so as to ensure a timely, adequate & coordinated global response".

The agenda of the meet included finalisation of dates of the 32nd session of the programme, budget and administration committee (PBAC), and resumed sessions of the 73rd World Health Assembly and 147th Executive Board.

The Bureau also includes the Vice Chairs of the Executive Board and the Director General of WHO. Observer participants and senior officials of WHO Headquarters were also present.

At the outset, Harsh Vardhan welcomed the participants to the first meeting of the Bureau of the Executive Board and wished them well during the ongoing pandemic.