On 25 November 2021, the International Conference “Universal Health Coverage and Sustainable Development Goals” was held at the Tavricheskiy Palace Dumsky Hall, in St. Petersburg. The conference was organized by the Interparliamentary Assembly of Member Nations of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the Regional Office for Europe of the World Health Organization (WHO)
On behalf of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM), Hon. Atay Uslu (Turkey) addressed the Opening Ceremony of the Plenary Session.
Hon. Uslu highlighted PAM’s role in promoting dialogue through parliamentary diplomacy. He underlined: “Over the past 20 months, we worked closely with the WHO and COVAX-GAVI to bring the latest developments on the epidemiological situation, as well as on vaccine diplomacy to our member parliaments. And we have called on many occasions to leave no one behind.”
Hon. Uslu stressed that it is up to the parliamentarians to put the legal framework for the Universal Health Care (UHC) system to be accessible and affordable to all. Adding that achieving UHC in countries in conflict and in crisis is one of PAM’s top priority. Hon. Uslu added that PAM is seeking ways to assist the Lebanese healthcare system, which is facing an unprecedented crisis, by sponsoring some hospitals with the supply of basic medical equipment and medicine.
“Health priorities often fall behind in times of conflict and crises. This is why PAM strives to promote peace, dialogue, and solidarity in our region for the benefit of all our citizens” concluded Hon. Uslu.//