The “meningitis belt” in sub-Saharan Africa, which faces recurrent epidemics of meningococcal meningitis, is especially at risk.
Mr Ghebreyesus linked more than 95 per cent of the 660 000 cervical cancer cases occurring globally each year to HPV.
Mr Ghebreyesus said for years, WHO had been calling for more research, and for the development of diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines for mpox.
“The death rates due to alcohol consumption per litre of alcohol consumed are highest in low-income countries and lowest in high-income countries.’’
The WHO DG said that surveillance of flu viruses among animals globally must also be intensified.
The WHO chief said that there was a need to tackle why people get sick and die.
“We owe it to all children to ensure they have access to the same health care and opportunities.’’
The ministers also pledged to sustainably and equitably address the threat of malaria in the African region.
It said that if countries could scale up coverage, 76 million deaths could be averted between 2023 and 2050.
Home to more than 1.2 billion people, so far, just two countries in Africa have reached the 40 per cent target, the lowest of any region.
