60^th Session of the Human Rights Council

Joint Statement at the General Debate under Agenda Item 3

(18 September 2025)

Mr. President,

I have the honor to speak on behalf of a group of countries.

Immunization is a critical part of the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, a key component of primary health care, and essential to achieving universal health coverage and SDG 3.8. Vaccination remains one of the most successful and cost-effective health investments.

Yet vaccine-preventable diseases are resurging. Measles, pertussis, diphtheria, and the threat of polio put millions of lives at risk, while declining routine coverage leaves 25 million children under-immunized each year^[1].

We welcome advances in vaccine science that expand protection across the life course. The transition toward sustainable COVID-19 immunization highlights the need for resilient health systems and equitable access for vulnerable groups.

We stress the importance of strengthened international cooperation, vaccine multilateralism, sustained financing, knowledge and technology sharing, and improved access to close immunization gaps, and ensure that no one is left behind. In this context, we welcome the adoption of the WHO Pandemic Agreement. We look forward to the convening of the High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response (PPPR) in 2026, which we believe will provide further opportunities to strengthen immunization as part of broader efforts on PPPR.

Mr. President,

Investing in immunization is investing in human dignity, equity, and resilience, and in protecting the right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.

I thank you.