The United Nations Office at Geneva
Multimedia Newsroom
UNOG Bi-weekly press briefing 02 February 2021
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56:09
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MP4
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580 MB
Libyan Political Dialogue Forum
Jean El-Alam, for the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), said that UNSMIL was encouraged by high number of nominations for the Presidency Council and welcomed the diversity of the candidate pool, both positive signs that the process had inspired a high degree of buy-in and enthusiasm. Ahead of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) this week in Switzerland, Stephanie Williams, the Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya and Head of UNSMIL, had held a virtual dialogue with more than 1,000 Libyans to gather their questions for the candidates. The LPDF had begun on 1 February with an interactive session, broadcast live, with 20 of the candidates for the Presidency Council, who had presented their programmes and responded to questions by LPDF members and the Libyan public. The LPDF members were to vote after the interactive session on the appointments to the Presidency Council on the basis of the three regional electoral colleges, in accordance with the selection mechanism previously agreed on 19 January. The interactive session for the office of Prime Minister would start that afternoon.
Attacks against civilians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Marta Hurtado, for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), said that OHCHR was appalled by the significant increase in the number of attacks against civilians in Irumu and Mambasa territories in Ituri province and in Beni territory in North Kivu province by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF). It was also very concerned about human rights violations and violations of international humanitarian law by security and defence forces.
According to a report by the United Nations Joint Human Rights Office published on Tuesday, at least 849 civilians had been killed in those areas in 2020 in attacks attributable to the ADF. In the second half of the year, 62 civilians had been injured and four women had been sexually abused by ADF members. The report also documented violations committed by security and defence forces in the context of their operations against ADF combatants. In 2020, 47 civilians had been killed, 27 women and 22 children had been sexually abused, and 126 people had been arbitrarily arrested by members of the security forces. Moreover, the second half of 2020 had seen a number of reprisal attacks by the ADF against the civilian population and an increase in the number of civilians abducted to perform forced labour. Violence had continued in early 2021.
Given the widespread and systematic nature of the attacks directed against the civilian population, some of the documented human rights abuses might amount to crimes against humanity. The violence was taking place in a context of impunity, made worse by an ADF attack on Beni prison in October 2020, during which 1,300 inmates had escaped.
The report included several recommendations for the authorities of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The full briefing note can be found here.
In reply to questions by journalists, Ms. Hurtado said that documenting abuses and violations was important for accountability, especially given the high level of impunity in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The ADF had originally been based in North Kivu but, following a series of military operations, had fragmented and spread out in 2019. The possible crimes against humanity were in reference to attacks by the ADF. The attacks that had been verified had been committed solely by ADF combatants.
Cancer prevalence around the world
Dr. André Ilbawi, Department of Noncommunicable Diseases, World Health Organization (WHO), said that new data released in December 2020 showed that, in 2020, 19.3 million people had been diagnosed with cancer and 10 million had died from the disease, which was now the second leading cause of death globally. Currently, one out five people worldwide would develop cancer during their lifetime, and there would be 30 million new cases per year by 2040. Breast cancer had become the most common form of the disease, followed by lung and colorectal cancer.
In connection with World Cancer Day on 4 February, WHO was recognizing the profound impact of COVID-19 on cancer control efforts, from delays in diagnosis and interruption or abandonment of therapy to reductions in research and clinical trial enrolment. Other activities would include: the first global consultation on breast cancer in anticipation of the launch of an initiative on International Women’s Day 2021; a call for a pan-European movement, with the vision of eliminating cancer as a life-threatening disease on the basis of a set of signature solutions to be presented on 4 February; emphasis on important risk factors, such as environmental exposure to radon; the global strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem, with the goal of saving 4.5 million lives in the next 100 years; and the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer.
Replying to questions from journalists, Dr. Ilbawi said that the biggest likely driver of the rise in cases was improved life expectancy, though better diagnosis certainly also played a role. Risk factors, particularly for breast cancer, included obesity. Cancer cases and deaths were rising more rapidly in low- and middle-income countries; however, those countries tended not to track survival rates. While there had been significant advances in treatment, WHO continued to address the challenge of the availability and high cost of treatment. For instance, the list of essential medicines now included immunotherapy for melanoma. The impact of WHO guidance on pricing, however, would not be known for a couple more years.
In response to COVID-related questions, Dr. Ilbawi said that only one of the completed vaccine trials had included cancer patients, though other, ongoing trials would provide more data in that regard. There was no such data in relation to children with cancer; however, WHO would be engaging with partners to track the vulnerability of paediatric cancer patients to COVID-19. While analysis of the pandemic’s impact on cancer control was ongoing, there was no evidence that oncology services were being disproportionately hit compared to services for other diseases.
Also in response to journalists, Tarik Jašarević, for the World Health Organization (WHO), said that WHO invited all vaccine manufacturers and developers to submit their data, but it was up to the national regulatory health agencies that authorized the use of any given product to share that information with national health-care professionals. It was important to track mutations in the coronavirus in order to quickly identify variants of concern, and WHO requested countries with the capacity to perform genomic sequencing to do so and share their data with the world. WHO was looking into how to name variants in such a way as to avoid geographical stigmatization. There had been no change to the guidance on mask-wearing in response to the emergence of the variants.
Geneva announcements
Alessandra Vellucci, for the United Nations Information Service (UNIS), said that the Conference on Disarmament would hold its next public plenary meeting on Thursday, 4 February, at 10 a.m., still under the presidency of Ambassador Marc Pecsteen de Buytswerve of Belgium, to discuss a revised version of the draft package proposed by the President.
The closure of the eighty-fifth session of the Committee on the Rights of the Child would take place at a virtual public meeting on the afternoon of Thursday, 4 February.
Teleprompter
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To this press.
Briefing of the UN information.
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Tuesday 2nd of February 1st of all, I'm happy to see you again back.
And secondly, I would like to start by giving the floor to our colleague Jean El Alam that.
As you know, is the spokesperson.
Of the UN.
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Is currently in a location near Geneva.
Following the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum.
Was meeting there for one.
Week he has been very kind because he's in the meeting, but he's taken 5 minutes to get out and talk to us.
Just to give us a brief update on the situation.
The discussions, Jean, you have the floor.
You're unmuted.
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Afraid he has.
He doesn't have the sound.
Jean, if you can hear me, you can go ahead with your with your briefing.
OK, so why we're trying to solve this?
I've got on my.
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Or has a.
Briefing on behalf of O.
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And in the meantime, we will try to.
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Good morning everyone.
We are appalled by a.
Significant increase in the number.
Sorry are you you were on but were you able?
To sorry can.
Cut the mic.
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But if you don't mind, since we have Jean on the line because he has to go back into the negotiation.
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No, he's not hitting us anymore.
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Thank you, Alessandra for giving me this opportunity.
Good morning, everyone.
Allow me first to start by by thanking you for your patience and for your understanding.
Of course, we would have loved to have you here today with us at the venue.
But as, as you know, due to the ****** of the COVID-19 pandemic, we, and of course, for your own safety and the safety of the participants and the safety of the UN staff and the support team, we opted to do the media coverage virtually.
As you know, on 30 January, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya announced the list, the list of candidates for the positions of the of the Presidency Council and 24 candidates, and for the positions of the Prime Minister, 21 candidates.
I would like to reiterate here that we are encouraged by the **** number of nominations and we welcome the diversity represented by the pool of candidates who are drawn from all political and social components of the Libyan society.
This is a positive sign that this process, which which means that this process has inspired a **** degree of of buy in and enthusiasm.
Ahead of the holding of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum meeting this week here in Switzerland, Acting Special Representative of the Secretary General for Libya Stephanie Williams held a virtual a digital dialogue with more than 1000 Libyan women and men.
Libyan women and men to seek to collect their questions, to collect their questions to be represented on on the candidates during the interaction session.
On Monday 1st February, the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum kicked off with interaction interactive session with the candidates for the Presidency Council who presented their programmes for the preparative period leading to national election on 24 December.
They also responded to questions by the LPDF members, as well as to those collected from the Libyan public during the digital dialogue.
Of course.
You may have seen, of course, that all these interactive sessions by the candidates were broadcasted live yesterday all day long.
20 candidates actually participated in the interactive session so far.
The remaining 4 candidates declined to participate and opted to send a video message, which will be presented today in the morning session before the PDF meeting.
Following the conclusion of the interactive session today, the plan is for the LPDF members to proceed to to the vote select the positions of the Presidency Council on the basis of the three regional Electoral College in accordance with the selection mechanism previously agreed upon on 19 January by the LPDF Advisory Committee.
If you want to know more about the elector this selection mechanism, you can find it, of course on on our website.
It is also expected that the interactive sessions with candidate for the Prime Minister positions will start today in the afternoon.
Thank you again Alessandra and I apologise I have to run back to the room, but please do not hesitate to send me your questions to my e-mail.
Thank you very much.
Yes, indeed, Jean and.
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With our colleagues, he really.
Came out of the room.
Just to give you brief.
Update But he will take the questions in writing.
Please don't hesitate to send it to him and also.
I understand from Jean that.
He'll be able to send you the notes of his briefing both in English and Arabic as soon as possible.
Thank you very much Jean again and I'll turn to.
Marta for the briefing from OHCHR.
And again, please don't hesitate.
To send your questions.
To Jean in writing, thank you, Marta.
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Again, we are appalled by a.
Significant increase in the number.
Of attacks against civilian population in Irumo and Mombasa territory in Ituri province as well.
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Territory in north Kibo province by the armed group allied democratic Forces, known as IADF.
We are also very concerned by the.
Human rights violations and.
Violations of international humanitarian law by security and defence forces in the Democratic Republic of Cocoa, according to a report.
By the UN joint human rights.
Office in DRC published today at least.
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Were killed in these areas in 2020 in attacks attributable to the ADF.
Of this, 381 were killed between.
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And June 2020.
And a further 400.
68 were killed between July and December in the second-half of the year, 62 civilian were injured and four women were sexually abused by ADF members.
The report also documents human rights violations and violations of international humanitarian law committed by security and defence forces in the context of their operations against ADF.
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According to the report, from July to December, 2 thousand 2025 civilians were killed, 18 women and ten children were sexually abused and 45 arbitrarily arrested by the security forces.
From January to June, 22 civilians were killed, nine women and two children were sexually abused, and 81 were arbitrarily arrested at the hands of.
Security forces.
The second-half of 2020 was characterised by a number of reprisals attacks by ADF against the civilian population in territories privileged controlled by them.
The attacks.
Led to a.
Massive displacement of people in the region.
There were also an increase in the number of civilians abducted to perform forced labour.
During the year, 534 civilians were kidnapped and 457 of them are still.
Missing violence has continued.
Into the beginning of this year, on 13 January 2020 in Waale Si, Bongkutu, Hiromo territory.
A group of unknown men attacked the Tawa.
Community and killed at least 14 people, including two pregnant women this.
******* Follow another attack in.
Guallesibo Kutu a month earlier, where 10 people were killed and thirty others kidnapped.
Given the widespread and systematic nature of the attack directed against the civilian population, some of the documented human rights abuses may amount to crimes against.
Humanity the violence takes place in a.
Context of impunity where few human rights abuses and violations and violations of international humanitarian law are duly investigated and prosecuted.
An ADF attack on Benny.
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That led to escape of 1300 inmates.
Was a blow to accountability in the country.
The report includes several recommendations for the DRCO authorities, including to ensure that security forces act.
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With norms and standards of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, it also urges the Congolese authorities to enhance.
Protection mechanisms for the civilian.
Population, especially during military operations.
Do you have more details in the briefing note?
Thank you very much, Marta and I see.
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Sorry, yes, yes, I I had my hand still up for Jean so.
I don't have a Oh, OK, I'm sorry.
Thank you very.
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I think Freddy will have a question for you, Marta.
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Freddy, my town and please.
See the technique.
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It's really.
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All these abuses.
And violations of human rights.
Law, because this gives the basis for accountability if ever all these investigations and this judicial process take place, we can offer all this information we have gathered through our missions, the missions of the MONUSCO to give.
Evidence of these violations and abuses and as I was.
Saying one of the main problems here in DRC is impunity, the fact that really few abuses and.
Violations of human rights.
Human rights have been taken to court.
Few people have been investigated, prosecuted and detained, so that's why our call to the authorities to try to do archerly investigations in every and.
Every single.
Case of human rights abuses and human rights violations and do the judicial process to give accountability the place that truly deserves in DRC.
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Thanks, Alessandra.
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OK, I have AI have a few questions for you.
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So I may you may have answered some some of these and what you said, I'm not sure.
Anyway, when, when did this increase in in the tax begin and what triggered them?
And you spoke about people being abducted for forced labour.
Could you elaborate upon upon that?
What do you mean by forced labour?
What sort of labour?
And then you say that some of these crimes could qualify as crimes against humanity.
Apparently a lot of crimes are being done by security forces now.
Are you talking about crimes against humanity committed by both security forces and the members of the various armed groups?
Or do you only deal with crimes against humanity when it comes with government personnel?
And lastly, what is the government response to your criticisms and to your recommendations?
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Thank you, Lisa, for all these questions.
Regarding the increase in attacks, it started actually from the beginning.
Of 2019.
The ADF group was originally based in North Kibu province for more than 30 years, but following a series of.
Military operations.
They fragmented in small groups.
And spread out not only through North Kibu, but as well went down to Ituri province.
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This increase from 2019, as our report we we published a report in July last year showed we have sadly seen another increase from July up to 2000, December 2020 and sadly we see that.
That doesn't change, so the.
The increase has been steady Abducted forced labour.
What I mean it's when the.
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Sometimes they abduct people just for using them as literally enforced labour, carrying the goods that they have looted, carried the the the food that they have taken for for the camps, using them to to cook.
Another.
Labour in their in their camps and actually we've seen cases where people have returned to the villages after a certain period of time.
Because they were too weak.
Or too old for actually performing the duties that were performed before forcibly.
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Humanity we are referring here the report refers to the ADF attacks.
Why we are saying that because they are widespread and systematic and they've been consistent and they are targeting directly the civilian population.
Therefore, when you're deliberately.
In a widespread and systematic.
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These crimes could amount if.
Proven in a in a court to crimes against humanity and the government responds the government is is aware of this problem it's trying to to deal with that but it's true that they should be more.
I was I was saying before to establish the scores that will investigate and prosecute people responsible for grave human rights violations.
In this sense, that's why the note stresses that the fact that a prison was there was a break in a in a prison back in October and 1300.
Inmates escape, including both.
Ex combatants but as well.
Officers accused of human rights.
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A blow to to accountability in the country.
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Yes, these attacks.
Has the Office of the **** Commissioner got more details?
How many of these?
Attacks are strictly by IDF forces or how many of these are joint operations between?
IDF and Islamic State Central.
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Those attacks that I'm referring here and that you will find in the in the press briefing note, because I am I'm aware that I spoke about a lot of.
Of numbers.
Here they are all by ADF.
They are all.
Numbers and attacks that.
We have been able to verify that were by the ADF combatants only.
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Catherine Fiancon.
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Related to DRC.
It's just something for you, Alessandra, so.
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OK, let me see if there's any other question for Marta.
I don't see any, so thank you.
Very much, Marta.
And please go ahead.
Kathleen And then we'll go to WHO?
Yes, thank you so much, Alessandra.
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To underline the fact that it is a pity that Mister.
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A document with elements that have.
Already been shared by Mrs.
Williams a couple hours ago.
We had a lot of questions, so I don't.
See the the purpose to come in the briefing to read.
A document and and leave as you.
As you know, we we are unable to be for for the.
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The sanitary reasons we are unable.
To to be on the.
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Yeah, Katherine, I do understand the.
Frustration and and in fact.
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John this morning.
And he told me I really cannot leave the room and I really asked him for 5 minutes just to give you an update.
I thought it was better than nothing.
And as we said, he said, I said please.
Don't hesitate to ask him.
Questions in writing he will answer, but I thought and he thought it was important to say a few words at the briefing about what was happening.
But please consider that we are really planning to have a more complete press event for you as soon as possible on this on this meeting.
But yes, I, I, I understand the frustration.
I will tell John that we thought he was better than nothing as he.
Couldn't really leave the the.
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Thank you very much.
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Oh no, Gabrielle is not doesn't have her hand up anymore.
So, OK, let's go to WHO?
Please just remind be.
Reminded that we have a number of colleagues listening in case.
You would like to ask them questions.
There is.
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For orchang in the room, but also ILOOSC anka DU.
NDPUNHCR.
WFPWMO and IOM are on the line in case you had questions.
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And for bar, and for Barbara as well.
In the north, in the north.
Of Mexico, the state in Tamaulipas, 19 people were murdered and burned, most of them feared migrants.
So I have asked here and at the briefing several times about the need to end this remaining Mexico policy in which asylum seekers wait on the northern.
Border Border of Mexico.
In the most dangerous cities at the mercy of the cartels and we see with this case what happened.
So I don't know the United States if they have any, you know will to to end this this policy and not not even Mexico.
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You have comments on this?
Thanks, I give the floor.
To Marta, but also Babar and Paul for IOM if you want to.
Intervene.
Just raise your hand, Marta, just on on the case you were referring to our.
People on the ground from both the Mexico.
Office and the Guatemala office are in close contact and following the case.
The latest I know is that at least two of the 19 were indeed Guatemalan migrants.
Is the latest at that.
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On the case.
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Thank you, Martin.
I don't see Babar and Paul raising their hands.
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So thank you very much.
And now let's go to.
Tariq, who has been very.
Patient, thank you very much.
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Tariq is here with us today with a guest, Doctor Andre Ilbowi from the.
Department of non communicable diseases.
Of WHO welcome Doctor Ilbowi.
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Would like to start if it's Tariq.
And then we go to Doctor Ilbowi.
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Good morning, Alice, and thank you very much and good morning, everyone.
Yeah, so basically the world.
Cancer Day is on.
Thursday, so we wanted to.
Present to you.
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Stand with the with the cancer in terms of burden.
Of disease.
But also in in, in what's happening around the access to to treatments and other issues.
That may be also linked with the with the.
Pandemic with us is doctor.
Andrea, Bobby that you had opportunity to listen to past couple of years, so I'll give.
A floor immediately to doctor.
Ylbari for his opening remarks and then obviously he.
Will be able.
To answer your questions on the issue of cancer.
Just to let you know that we have one colleague from WHO online who is listening.
That's Alison.
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Alison Brunier's name and you don't know who it is.
That's Awho colleague who will listen as she works with Doctor Ylbari.
Andre, the floor is yours.
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Good morning, colleagues.
And greetings as we.
Begin our celebration of World Cancer Day commemorated as Tara.
Said on Thursday for February.
Aim of World Cancer Day this year is I can and I will.
This day is a global uniting event.
Led by the Swiss based.
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Governmental organisation, the Union for International Cancer Control.
And this is an important opportunity for us to.
Raise awareness to improve.
Education and to inspire action for us at WHO.
There is a broad array of activities planned for World Cancer Day, but let's start by setting the stage as Tark said, with.
The disease burden.
As some of you may have noted in December of 2020.
O and the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
Released new statistics on the global cancer burden it has in fact affirmed what we have known that the cancer.
Burden is significant and increasing in 2020.
The number of people diagnosed with cancer globally reached 19.3 million, with the number of people dying increasing to 10 million.
Currently, one in five people worldwide will develop.
Cancer in their lifetime.
And in Europe?
One in two men and more than one in three women.
Will have that lifetime risk.
So in fact, cancer will impact every family around the world.
Cancer is now.
Also the second leading cause of death.
And responsible for more than one in six total deaths relating to the most common.
Cancer this year we.
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Finding that for the first.
Time Breast cancer now constitutes the most commonly aquarium cancer globally, followed by lung, which has.
Historically.
Been leading cause and most of of cancer and 3rd colorectal.
Recent trends demonstrate how quickly the.
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As an example.
There were an.
Estimated 10 million.
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Now compared to.
20 million in 2020 and based on demographic projections alone.
By 2040, we anticipate there will be 30.
Million new cases per year.
So the message of I can and I will is particularly important as a reminder.
That each of us.
Can and must play a role in reducing the impact of cancer globally and of course this year we also recognise the impact of COVID, of the COVID.
19 pandemic on cancer patients WHO surveys have found that.
50% of governments have had cancer services partially or completely disrupted because of the pandemic.
We have also gathered data from the scientific community, understand the severity and the impact on cancer.
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Are common interruptions in therapy and or abandonment has increased significantly healthcare professionals have been.
Under great stress to deliver services and there is significant reduction in research.
And clinical trial enrollment.
Just stated simply, the consequences of the pandemic on cancer control efforts have been profound.
We have also seen governments successfully return to the.
Fundamentals of cancer care.
To promote early diagnosis.
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To develop innovative models to increase care, such as the use of telemedicine, and to provide.
Care closer to home when?
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So what are we doing at WHO on this world?
Cancer.
Day first we are focusing on breast cancer.
Which, as mentioned, has emerged as the most common cancer.
Globally, we are hosting the first.
Global consultation on breast cancer with the anticipation.
Of launching an initiative on International Women's Day 2021, that is 8 March 2nd.
We have activities throughout.
WHO regions and countries to highlight?
As an example, WHO Europe Office will call for a pan European movement United action against cancer.
With a vision to eliminate cancer as a life threatening.
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The movement will call.
And build on a set of.
Signature solutions that will be introduced at the event.
On Thursday, the event will.
Also introduce the new WHO Europe Ambassador for Cancer.
Third, we are highlighting important risk factors like environmental exposure.
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Is an odourless gas found in residents and buildings, and residential radon alone is now responsible for about 80.
4000 deaths of lung cancer alone.
In some countries, this constitutes a leading cause of lung cancer.
WHO is releasing results on Thursday from a survey The Who Raidon Survey.
While it has.
Shown that the vast.
Majority of governments have set national reference levels.
For homes and workplaces, only 39% have.
Included it in codes for new buildings.
4th and finally.
We are drawing attention back to two existing and important WHO initiatives in cancer.
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Of you may have noted in November 2020 governments.
Endorsed the global strategy to accelerate the elimination.
Of cervical cancer as a.
Public health problem.
This is our first and our only opportunity to.
Eliminate a cancer and doing.
So will save four and a half million lives over the upcoming century and also for for childhood cancer releasing.
The technology WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer.
On International Childhood Cancer Day, this is 15th February.
This initiative is already active in more than 30 countries, working to improve survival.
And quality of life for.
Children with cancer globally.
Thank you for your attention and I'm happy to have.
The questions.
Thank you very much, Doctor.
Sorry Doctor Riba, we we had some problem with your audio sometimes, well, often the beginning of the sentences were not clear, so it.
Would be very, very useful.
If you could just send your briefing notes through Tariq to the journalist.
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Christian Erich from the German.
Press Agency Christian and please study.
Just intervene whenever you you wish.
Thank you very.
Much thank you, Doctor Guawi.
Can you tell us what the most common cancer was before if newly it is?
Breast cancer.
And what the numbers were the year before, not only 20 years ago.
And can you tell us?
Why the cancer numbers are rising?
Are you making provisions that this might also be due?
Just to better diagnosis or are there?
Environmental or other reasons for this?
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Please go ahead, Doctor Ribowi.
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This is a very important question.
So the previous most common cancer.
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Cancer.
And this had been true for the previous two decades or so.
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As to what?
Is the cause for these increasing cancer burden is very relevant?
And I'm.
Happy to share some statistics perhaps.
Offline with the trends over the past two decades, but the question of why?
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Something we can answer now.
The biggest and most likely driver of the increased total number of cases is population.
Expansion, improvement in life expectancy and management of other competing health.
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With increasing.
Life expectancy comes also an.
Increased risk of cancer.
There are concerning trends and risk factors.
As an example, in breast cancer, we know that.
Obesity is a common risk factor.
And this is also.
Contributing to the increased total number of cancer cases that we see.
And then your final point of are we also better able to?
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This is difficult to know because the estimates come from what we consider **** quality population.
Based registries, but our suspicion is exactly that you are correct that there has been underestimate.
Of global cancer cases likely related to our ability to diagnose either.
On in a clinical setting or an on autopsy cancer diagnosis so we.
Do think this is also contributing?
To increase in cancer cases.
Thank you very much, Gabriel Sotomayor Proceso from Mexico.
Yes, thank you very much for coming to the briefing.
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Question and then one question for Tariq, which vaccine against COVID-19 The Who recommends for people with cancer is if there is anyone any vaccine?
[Other language spoken]
This is a very important point of ongoing research and.
Investigation.
Only one of the clinical.
Trials included cancer patients as.
Part of the research analysis and at WHO we are working to better understand the safety and efficacy of the vaccine for that population.
So this is an area of ongoing.
Research and one in which?
We would encourage cancer patients to have that discussion with their.
With their healthcare providers.
[Other language spoken]
WHO or?
The National Public Health Agency to understand the safety of the vaccine for the population.
Perhaps Tarek would like to make a comment as well.
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[Other language spoken]
Gabriella has another question for me.
[Other language spoken]
Asked your second question to Tarek.
Yes, thank you very much, Derek.
And with with the new.
Variants of the COVID-19 that are circulating everywhere.
There are people who are putting 2 and up to three masks one on top of the other at the same time.
So I mean the.
[Other language spoken]
95 mask and then two others on the top and things like that.
Very exaggerated in my opinion.
But my question is, if this is not dangerous also for the health, what what is your opinion on that Well.
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Our guidance on masks, so I really would refer.
To, to, to, to, to, to, to.
Guidance that we have updated.
Version that we have issued.
I don't can't really remember which month where we exactly explain what.
Kind of fabric should be used and and and about the general use of the mask.
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Doctor Ribowi, Voice of America.
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[Other language spoken]
I have a couple of questions for you.
First, could you make a comparison between the prevalence of cancer between the developed and the developing countries?
I think at one time it was thought that it mainly was prevalent in developed countries, but I think possibly that's not the case.
If you would elaborate upon that.
Then also, are you, are you saying that a lot of the increase in cancer cases may be due to neglect because of COVID-19, that there's such a tremendous focus upon COVID-19 that other diseases and cancer in particular in this case are being overlooked or and neglected?
And then I must say, your report is deeply distressing and depressing because I thought that I've been hearing so many new promising treatments.
We're on the horizon.
And you you haven't mentioned any of that.
I mean, are there or am I getting this wrong?
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
Depressing in the doctor E Bowie, bring us some word of hope.
Oh, yes, I'm, I'm sorry.
I don't mean to cause such strife, particularly in this setting.
So perhaps let's start with words of encouragement.
Overall, we have to acknowledge that the number of people who are diagnosed.
With cancer is increasing and even in that statement there is a message.
Of hope.
Because as mentioned earlier.
This is in large part because people are living longer.
People are able to have more common historic causes of death addressed.
Communicable diseases as an example and as people live.
Longer than the likelihood of cancer increases.
Now the the second point you raise.
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You're absolutely right.
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That there have been significant advancements in treatment.
Now the question is, well, what has the impact been?
We only have a limited ability to understand the.
Impact at a population level in **** income countries.
[Other language spoken]
Low and middle income countries do not track what is the likelihood of surviving a specific cancer.
When we think about the causes of improved survival, as you rightly point out, there have been significant improvements in the types.
Of medicines that we use.
The safety.
And the efficacy of those medicines.
But also a very important driver of improved survival is cancer being diagnosed earlier.
And this is also a shift that we.
[Other language spoken]
And this is something that.
We as a community can respond to.
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If.
There's a concerning sign or symptom going to a physician.
Going to a health professional and seeking care to understand is this cancer or is this not cancer that in fact is one of the primary drivers for improvements in cancer survival?
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Trajectory.
There is a faster rate in the number of cancer cases than there is in the rate of cancer deaths.
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[Other language spoken]
That we're making progress in treatment so.
Please do not be.
Too distressed from these statistics, there has been progress, but the challenge still remains that the total number of cases and the total number of deaths continue to increase.
Back to the first question, the difference between **** income countries.
And low and middle income countries.
Now it's difficult again to give exact statistics, but we know categorically.
That the percentage of cases.
And deaths that are happening in cancer are are more rapidly rising.
In low and middle income countries.
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At the projected increase to.
2040 the primary driver of those increased total of cancer numbers are actually.
Coming from those income levels, it's in some countries, it's.
Increasing as quickly as doubling.
In the next two decades.
So this is still proportionally something that happens more commonly in **** income countries, but still 6070% of cancer cases and deaths are already occurring in low and middle income countries.
So we know projected forward.
That this will reach a.
[Other language spoken]
And most of the cases.
Will continue to arise in those settings.
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
Good morning, Andrea, and happy New Year my.
Question is related to what Lisa touched.
[Other language spoken]
View on the customised treatments.
A state-of-the-art.
That are coming on the market but I extremely expensive how?
Effective are these new treatments and secondly.
If you have some analysis.
[Other language spoken]
The price of some of the.
Cancer interventions have come down in the last.
[Other language spoken]
Push for this, but are you getting some results on the price end?
Thanks, Jana and belated Happy New Year to you.
Thank you as always for your usual insightful questions.
The challenge of cancer medicines remain something that WHO pays close attention to and presented report to the executive.
Board just this past month.
We do know that some of these innovative therapies.
Have had a profound impact on survival.
Now this is.
[Other language spoken]
Cancers and not for all.
As some may have noted as an example, in the most recent WHO list of essential medicines we included.
In 2019 for the.
First time immunotherapy.
This is a new class of.
Medicines that is truly revolutionary, but we.
Included it only for one indication as a starting.
Point and that is Melanoma.
This, in fact, is a medicine that can improve survival for people that have.
[Other language spoken]
That has spread to other.
Areas of the.
Body on the order of 3040% increase in absolute survival.
These are really revolutionary and transformative medicines now.
[Other language spoken]
You had also pointed out because cancer medicine availability and affordability has been on our agenda since 2017, this is an.
Area where we have provided some guidance.
For example, pricing approaches.
For cancer medicines, we had also documented aesthetic point for cancer medicine price.
In 2019, now, we're working to see the trends in the early phase.
We don't have immediate results to report.
But this is something we anticipated reporting back on.
In the next one to two years ahead, including we have a new.
Platform, we have a WHO to track price.
And availability at the country level.
In line with the resolution and mandate that WHO has been given.
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
We can answer that with some specific estimates and be able to provide some guidance on whether or not we've made progress as a community.
Thank you very much, Doctor Barry.
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Peter, is that for?
[Other language spoken]
I'm not sure, Doctor Barry, I'd just like to ask you, we see we read a lot of reports about oncology units of hospitals unable to function properly in both developed and developing countries.
And I was just wondering if you have any data or analysis on whether it developing or developed countries are being more affected in the treatment of cancer patients during the COVID era?
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[Other language spoken]
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This data right now and hope to report back to you.
In the near future.
There has been, as mentioned, an estimate of 50% of.
Governments that have reported disruption in cancer services.
And when we look at some of the scientific publications to understand how is this disruption happening, we're seeing.
That these reports are.
Coming in fact, from countries of all income levels now.
Some **** income.
Countries have been able to.
Respond with it more.
Quickly in the Netherlands, for example, they've developed programmes to ensure that people who have cancer symptoms are able to immediately seek diagnosis and to increase access to treatment through a variety of platforms.
The uptake of these mitigation.
Strategies, as we call them.
We have less data of this being taken out in low and middle countries, but this is an important area for us to work and just to go back to.
Lisa's question I believe I didn't answer fully.
On what?
Whether or not we think this disruption is more severe.
For cancer or for other diseases and the impact of COVID on cancer patients to the.
Extent that our survey is able to provide insight, we think that cancer is.
Similar to other disease programmes in the level of disruption.
[Other language spoken]
On what COVID has done.
For emerging cardiac.
Disease like acute coronary syndrome, so cancer is.
Part of a broader.
Set of essential services that have been disrupted.
Because of the pandemic, we do know that this has decreased the total number of people who have been able to complete therapy.
And we anticipate that this will have.
An impact in the next.
[Other language spoken]
On the total number of cancer deaths, the extent of that impact, we're working to model it to help governments understand this a bit better, but it's difficult to say with certainty what extent that increase may be and what that total impact will be for.
Cancer cases and cancer deaths globally in the years ahead.
Katherine Fianco.
Yes, Thank you so much, Doctor.
Elbowy you, you answered.
In fact, partially the.
Question that I wanted to ask.
Yes, just in the previous answer.
[Other language spoken]
But I have a question regarding what you said about a vaccine, A COVID-19 vaccine for people that have cancer.
[Other language spoken]
Explain that one.
Only one vaccine, if understood well, did include people affected by but you did not mention or maybe I missed.
[Other language spoken]
The name of that vaccine and after I have a question for.
Tarek, thank you, Doctor Ibawi, Thanks, Catherine.
We will confirm the product.
I don't want to misspeak and I also want to highlight that there are still some ongoing clinical trials to be published that we know.
[Other language spoken]
Included cancer patients in their inclusion criteria or in the types of people for whom.
The study had been organised.
So this is a.
Very, very.
Dynamic area of clinical research.
We do appreciate that cancer patients.
Are being noted in these.
[Other language spoken]
Trials because evidence has shown that cancer patients.
[Other language spoken]
For COVID.
Related morbidity and mortality.
Because of their immunosuppression, I should state that this is true for.
[Other language spoken]
Not necessarily.
For all people who have cancer either in the past or in the current.
So the science is is moving very quickly to.
[Other language spoken]
Should be.
At the greatest consideration for.
Vaccine and is it safe?
For that population in the setting of.
[Other language spoken]
We do know this is something of great concern to the cancer community.
Globally, thank you so we'll.
Yes, go ahead, Catherine.
[Other language spoken]
Up on on that, what about children affected by cancer?
I mean, for the moment, the scientifics experts are not talking really by vaccinating.
Kids that are not affected by vaccine by COVID.
But is there any study that included children affected by cancer?
To we will confirm to.
My knowledge there is not.
But we will confirm this as well and feedback to you.
The population of children with cancer and their vulnerability to COVID is an area that we are also working with partners to track.
There have been over 1000 documented.
Cases of children with COVID.
And we're now interpreting the results to understand what is the.
Increased risk for them.
Because this will also help inform the trade off.
And the understanding of what is the.
Appropriate timing for that population to have access to the vaccine.
Thanks for raising it to.
Catherine, this is a very.
Important question that we know are impacting children with cancer around the world.
Catherine, you had a question for Tarek.
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
That have been made by doctor Alain Fischer.
Who is a French?
[Other language spoken]
Of paediatric immunology and he has been appointed like Mr Vaccine in France and he did mention.
The uncertainties on on the vaccines, particularly the fact that.
Even himself had no access to data, but only to press releases.
And that there.
Was no evidence.
Of the efficiency of the vaccines and also.
If people.
That are vaccinated could get.
COVID-19 and then pass it on or not.
So could you give me some elements on the on those points please?
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
Well, I cannot comment on on what has been said because I haven't seen that that statement.
We as WHO we invite all manufacturers.
And developers of vaccines to submit data that that we will be happy to to look into.
To analyse and then to see if who would recommend the use of those.
[Other language spoken]
To invite you, because I know that some of you may have not seen, we have something on our website.
It's a tracker on where we are when it comes to particular vaccines in terms of what has been submitted and and where we are in the process for eventual emergency use.
Listing and pre qualification.
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
Find that helpful I can send a link so you can really see on different vaccines where we are and where what's the what's.
The current status of of data sharing with W2.
Thank you Tarek, definitely send the link and also the notes of.
Doctor Lil Bowie's briefing because many people.
Really missed the points Catherine you had.
A follow up for Tarek or for Doctor Ibabi.
[Other language spoken]
Tarek, thank you for for.
What you you just mentioned.
Doctor Margaret did already share.
This.
Very important link to to to your elements.
But the gentleman was talking about.
Other.
People in the world having access to data, not WHO, but that's it was difficult for professional doctors to have.
Access to the data you have it but.
Apparently it's not the case of everyone.
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
The.
[Other language spoken]
National Health Regulatory.
Agencies are authorising the use of any medical products on the territory of that country.
So producers and developers who want.
To put into use their medical.
Products go to National.
Regulatory agencies.
They also come to WHO?
Because having WHO pre qualification?
It's, it's, it's very helpful and it's a sort of a quality insurance now.
At the national level.
How the sharing of data is?
Done between national Regulatory agency.
For, for, for, for medical products and other national organisations.
I really cannot comment on that and you would have to ask a national.
Regulatory agency of that country.
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
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And we'll close with a with a follow up from Gabriella.
Gabriella, is that for Doctor Ribowi?
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
The question is for Tarek.
As you as you saw in Mexico, cases and deaths are increased, I mean in a very scandalous way.
So my question is that.
[Other language spoken]
There is a fear for a New Mexican variant of COVID-19 with some cases that are analysed in the state of Jalisco.
So far, the studies have not been conclusive, but are you receiving information about these?
Are you monitoring this situation very closely, Gabriella?
We are definitely monitoring the the, the changes that virus is under undergoing.
And as we have been saying, viruses do change over time.
[Other language spoken]
Unexpected.
What is interesting?
And what is?
Important is to.
[Other language spoken]
And follow these changes.
And and and and and and quickly identify.
Those possible changes that would result.
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
Transmissibility, mortality, or any other?
[Other language spoken]
Changes in the virus, we are having something that's called risk monitoring framework.
To identify.
Monitor and assess our scope.
To mutations variance of interest.
And variance of concern.
So basically this will involve components like surveillance through EPI studies, molecular testing, genome sequencing and.
[Other language spoken]
So what we would really like is, is that that countries who have the capacity.
To do genome genome genetic sequence, do these sequences?
That would help us identify these viruses.
[Other language spoken]
Because we also need sequences.
To be shared with the global.
Community.
So, so so global scientific community can can.
Look into this SO.
Yes, we are definitely tracking and and.
[Other language spoken]
About those identified.
First in the UK.
That's why I ran the one.
That was that fine South.
Africa, the one that has been in that 5, Brazil, we are also looking into how to name them in a way that we avoid geographical or any other.
Stigmatisation.
Thank you very much, Terry.
Can thank you so much, Doctor.
El Bowie for being with us today on this important commemoration.
Which is World Cancer Day and for.
This very useful information.
[Other language spoken]
To give you.
The final announcements I don't.
Have press briefings, press conference to announce for the moment, but please be reminded that the Conference on Disarmament, sorry.
We'll have.
Its next plenary meeting, which on on Thursday.
4th of February that will.
Be in the morning from 11:50, but there is a possibility of an additional plenary meeting.
To be held in the.
Afternoon starting at 3 O clock.
As usual, you can listen to the live streaming services.
Which is available at the link that we have sent you.
And I would also like to remind you that the Conference on Disarmament is meeting under the Presidency of Belgium.
The scope of.
This meeting will be to discuss the revised.
Version of the draught package proposed by the president.
The Committee on the Rights of.
The child which is.
Currently holding its 85th.
Session as usual now virtually.
Will also hold its next public meeting on Thursday 4th February.
In the afternoon for the public closure of this session, so.
Thank you very much.
If there are no other questions, Gabriella, you have a question for me.
Yes, thank you, Alessandra.
Sorry that I didn't ask before, because Marta, I think.
Is gone, but have you heard about?
Maybe special session, urgent session of the Human Rights Council on the.
Situation in Myanmar.
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]
Yeah, sorry, Marta is.
Gone from the room I.
Don't think there is anybody.
Else connected from.
The human rights, but.
[Other language spoken]
I'll see with.
Rolando, if there is any updates on that, thank you very much.
[Other language spoken]
So that was all.
For me, thank you very much and I'll see you on Friday for the next.
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