By Rahim Abdul
Malawi has used a high-level United Nations (UN) meeting to push for changes to the global health system, arguing that developing countries need greater access to vaccines, diagnostics and medicines, as well as the capacity to produce them locally when future pandemics strike.
The call was made on Friday, 25 September 2026, at the UN Headquarters in New York, where Deputy Minister of Natural Resources Chipiliro Mpinganjira represented President ProfArthur Peter Mutharika and the Government of Malawi at a high-level meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response (PPPR).
Mpinganjira, who is also Deputy Head of the Malawi Delegation to the 81st UN General Assembly (UNGA), was assigned to represent Malawi by the Head of the Malawi Delegation and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation,George Chaponda.
In his address, Mpinganjira called for the removal of intellectual property barriers that restrict developing countries from manufacturing generic diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines locally.
Chipiliro Mpanganjira
He said reducing such barriers will enable developing countries to strengthen their domestic manufacturing capacity and become better prepared to respond to public health emergencies.
Mpinganjira also called for reforms to international distribution systems, particularly those governing the allocation of vaccines and other essential medical supplies during pandemics.
He said developing countries should not be left without essential medical commodities while global stockpiles are distributed to other parts of the world.
The deputy minister further stressed the need for stronger integration of international health systems to improve coordination and preparedness for future health emergencies.
He said countries need systems that can respond quickly and equitably when new infectious diseases emerge, with international cooperation playing a central role in pandemic preparedness.
Mpinganjira also called for the finalisation of the proposed Pandemic Treaty, arguing that a stronger international framework will provide countries with a basis for coordinating their responses to future pandemics.
He pointed to the COVID-19 pandemic and its far-reaching health, social and economic effects in Malawi and across the world as a reminder of the importance of strengthening global preparedness.
The meeting is part of Malawi’s participation in the 81st UN General Assembly, where the country is engaging with other nations on global health, development and international cooperation.
