The comments are false and unacceptable, and without foundation, the Director General said about Pompeo’s words in a private meeting with British lawmakers in London last Tuesday.
The head of U.S. diplomacy also said at a press conference in London that the world needs to ensure that all countries, including China, behave in a manner consistent with the international order.
“Our only focus, organization-wide, is on saving lives in the fight against Covid-19,” Ghebreyesus stressed.
“If there is one thing that really matters to us and should matter to everyone, it is saving lives, and the WHO will not be distracted by these comments and we do not want the international community to do so either,” he stressed.
United States President Donald Trump announced in late May that he would end his country’s participation in the WHO after repeatedly criticizing the body for the response to the pandemic and accusing it of favoring China.
Subsequently, on July 7th, the head of the White House formally notified the U.S. decision to leave the health entity, which was criticized by the United Nations and various voices around the world.
This notification was sent to the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, and must enter into force on July 6th, 2021, in accordance with the provisions of the regulations.
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