WHO Director-General's opening remarks at 148th session of the Executive Board Format Excellencies, dear colleagues and friends, Good morning, good afternoon and good evening to you all, and happy New Year. 40 years ago, a new virus emerged and sparked a pandemic. Life-saving medicines were developed, but more than a decade passed before the world’s poor got access to them. 12 years ago, a new virus emerged and sparked a pandemic. Life saving vaccines were developed, but by the time the world’s poor got access, the pandemic was over. One year ago, a new virus emerged and sparked a pandemic. Life-saving vaccines have been developed. What happens next is up to us.