About the statement:

Dr. Fatima Al-Kaabi, President of the UAHR, delivered an oral statement during the interactive dialogue under Agenda Item 3, addressing global efforts to promote the right to health. She praised the work of the Special Rapporteur on the right to health and called for closer UN and national coordination to ensure fair and effective responses to health crises and pandemics, while highlighting the UAE’s leading role in this field.

Content of the statement:

• Dr. Al-Kaabi expressed deep appreciation for the efforts of the Human Rights Council and the Special Rapporteur in promoting the right to health, especially in the face of global health emergencies.
• She underlined the importance of:
  • Countries fulfilling their commitments under Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-Being).
  • International cooperation during the Summit of the Future to address the impact of health epidemics and pandemics.
• She reviewed the UAE’s efforts in supporting the right to health, both nationally and internationally, particularly through:
  • Its international response during the COVID-19 pandemic, accounting for 80% of total global support to affected countries.
  • Providing aid through over 45 Emirati donor organizations to 142 countries.
  • Establishing and hosting the “Hope Consortium” to deliver health relief to countries affected by the pandemic.
  • Supporting the COVAX initiative in collaboration with the WHO to distribute two billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines worldwide.
  • Providing health aid to conflict zones such as Sudan and Palestine.

Importance of the statement:

• Strengthening international commitments to the right to health: The statement affirmed that health is not just a service but a fundamental human right, and countries have legal and moral obligations to ensure it to all without discrimination, especially during crises.
• Highlighting the UAE as a leading global model: The statement presented the UAE as a model to be emulated in supporting health systems globally through humanitarian initiatives, innovative international coalitions, and responses based on multilateralism and solidarity.
• Linking health with development and peace: The statement demonstrated an advanced understanding that achieving the right to health supports human stability and development, especially in areas suffering from conflicts and epidemics.
• Calling for the Summit of the Future to enhance global health protection: The statement called for the upcoming UN Summit of the Future to be a genuine platform for rethinking global health protection frameworks and addressing the gaps exposed by pandemics.