Mr. President,

Global health is one of the most pressing concerns on the international agenda. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development has provided a significant impetus to this urgent necessity, by encouraging broad-based and inclusive health goals and targets.

Despite the earnest efforts to promote · and protect the right of every person to enjoy the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, substantial gaps persist in the area of health care. Essential medicines and health technologies that prevent and treat diseases continue to remain out of reach of millions worldwide, particularly in developing countries.

It is in this context, that we welcome this important draft resolution A/71/L.41 that has been brought forward by the delegations of South Africa and the core 'Oslo Group'. We have worked closely and constructively during the finalisation of this draft and have joined the consensus.

Mr.President,

Besides the chronic issues involved in the global challenges with regard to global health that are sought to be addressed by SDG3, the international community has also learnt important lessons from the various disastrous pandemics that have spread across various parts of the world. These include the recent Ebola and Zika health crises. Earlier this year, the international community deliberated upon the HIV/AIDS issue and in September at the commencement of this 71st UNGA session, the global attention was focused on the fast spreading and imminent challenge posed by Antimicrobial Resistance.

In this context, we find that while the draft resolution that we have before us today seeks to address several important objectives, we are somewhat disappointed to note some efforts at dilution of the importance accorded to the far reaching and very significant recommendations contained in the Secretary General's High Level Panel on Access to Medicines in PP26 and OP18.
 

This Report is an outcome of a specific mandate and provides options to discussion to address the policy incoherence and glaring imbalance between human rights, intellectual property rights and public health objectives in the context of health technologies. It also addresses issues such as new incentives for R&D, including delinking cost of R&D from prices, full utilization of TRIPS flexibilities, and governance, accountabil ity and transparency.

We look forward to continued engagement and dialogue in all relevant UN Agencies, including General Assembly and WHO on the Report.In this context, we welcome the ongoing discussions on the Report at the WTO TRIPS Council.

May I take this opportunity to reiterate India's longstanding commitment and record in promoting the cause of global health including through south­ south cooperation.

Indian pharmaceutical industry continues to be acknowledged globally as a source of affordable safe effective quality generic medicine to vulnerable people, especially in developing countries. We have always remained open in sharing our technical expertise and experience with fellow developing country partners.

With our National Rural Health Mission, India has also continuously strived to strengthen the public health infrastructure, including with the appointment of hundreds of thousands of healthcare providers and community workers.

Mr.President,

Global political commitment to realise the vision of healthy lives for all at all ages a reality at this juncture is an international imperative. We are committed to work with the international community in achieving this objective.

I thank You.