Intervention By Minister For Health Mr Ong Ye Kung At The Pandemic Fund Pledging Event, In Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

1.         The COVID-19 pandemic taught us many valuable lessons. We learnt that each country needs to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response capabilities. Every country is in it together.

2.         The Pandemic Fund is an important initiative to advance these goals.

3.         Singapore would therefore contribute another US$10 million to The Pandemic Fund, matching our initial contribution in 2022. This reflects our continued commitment to strengthening the global health architecture in preparation for the next pandemic.

4.         To maximise the impact of the funds, Singapore suggests a strong focus on two areas that require the most international cooperation, and they are in fact, global commons that all of us have a strong stake in. 

5.         The first is global surveillance. With modern travel and trade, pathogens spread rapidly around the world. Every day of early warning can make a major difference, between life and death, or lockdown and freedom. Every country needs to be the eyes and ears of the others. 

6.         The second is to enhance the abilities of less developed countries to prepare for and respond to future pandemics, especially in upgrading manpower capabilities. Greater effectiveness in our response requires an across-the-board lifting of domestic capabilities. 

7.         The Pandemic Fund plays a critical role in plugging these gaps, and I am pleased to see that with successive awards, we are increasingly focusing on these priorities. 

8.         Singapore looks forward to continuing to play our part. Thank you.