On 24 February,  Member States met virtually to discuss a new instrument on pandemic preparedness and response. Stemming from a WHA decision entitled ‘The World, Together’, it was a day where we all recognised that we must work together to tackle health threats.

Yet that very day President Putin regime launched his illegal, unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, causing horrific health impacts.

Since then, as others have said here, there have been over 250 attacks on health care, thousands of civilian deaths and injuries, and huge disruption to Ukraine’s health services.  Countless hospitals lie in ruins.

The psychological toll on Ukraine’s people is unimaginable. Dr. Tedros spoke moving movingly on Sunday of his experience as a child of war. Russia’s aggression is turning millions of Ukrainian children into children of war.

As we look across the world, there are far too many conflicts and crises causing suffering. Each constitutes a tragedy. Each deserves our greatest attention.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is having a global impact that is exacerbating all these crises.

People across the world are facing food, energy, and commodity price rises. Yet Russia sees this and continues its relentless assault, weaponizing the global food supply and harming the world’s most vulnerable, causing lasting damage to health.

I understand the concerns of Member States who fear the politicisation of the Assembly. But war is a health issue. Health for peace. Peace for Health. The WHA must not be afraid to address health crises, including the causes and, in this case, the aggressor.

Let me urge Member States to support the draft resolution before us and stand up for the people of Ukraine, for their health, and for international law.

To those tempted to support Russia’s resolution, let me urge you to think again. Strip away the diplomatic language. See what is left. A call for the protection of civilians, while Russian forces are killing and maiming those same civilians as we sit here.

A vote for the Russian resolution is a vote to condone that suffering.

We urges our fellow Member States to stand up for Health and Peace. Peace for Health.

A new and simplified licence for vaccinating badgers has been rolled out today (Thursday 26 May) as part of government plans to step up efforts to eradicate bovine TB in England by 2038.

The new licence to trap badgers for vaccination enables those trained to undertake this activity to register as an ‘authorised person’. This means applicants will no longer need to apply for an individual licence, provide extensive information in support of that application and wait up to 30 working days for a decision.

In 2021, 1,575 badgers were vaccinated across England, and it is hoped that the new licence – alongside a new subsidy cutting the cost of the Badger BCG vaccine by almost half – will facilitate and encourage more farmers, landowners, and vaccination groups to get involved in these projects.

This includes a five-year programme in East Sussex, which was awarded £2.27 million last year to support farmers deploying vaccines over an area of 250 square kilometres.

This new process will boost vaccination efforts by making it administratively simpler for those wishing and are trained to undertake vaccination projects across England.

Biosecurity Minister Lord Benyon said:

Bovine TB is one of the most difficult and intractable animal health challenges that the UK faces today, causing considerable trauma for farmers and costing taxpayers over £100 million every year.

The widespread vaccination of badgers is a key cornerstone of our strategy to eradicate TB by 2038, with our new and simplified licence allowing more farmers and vaccination groups to join the fight against this insidious disease.

Natural England will continue to undertake visits to check that vaccination projects are complying with the conditions of the licence and follow the best practice guide).

Today’s announcement forms part of the Government’s long-term strategy to eradicate bovine TB in England by 2038, which outlined plans to bring in badger and cattle vaccination alongside other measures.

The licence has been published online and those interested can register now. They will need to provide information about their training experience and can expect a decision within two working days.

If successful, they will be able to start vaccinating badgers on land where they have the landowner’s permission to do so straightaway and can report their activity in real-time through a new smartphone app, developed by the Worldwide Veterinary Service.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson presented a Humble Address to Her Majesty The Queen

I beg to move, that an Humble Address be presented to Her Majesty as on the order paper.

Madame Deputy Speaker, since the Palace of Westminster was founded more than a thousand years ago

It has seen war and peace, plague and plenty

the rise and fall of empires.

and all kinds of revolutions – scientific industrial political and ecumenical, stylistic

and almost 50 monarchs

In trying to rank the achievements of those monarchs it must be admitted that not all of them set exemplary standards of personal behaviour

and quite a few were removed violently and prematurely from office

but in our history no monarch has ever served this country so long as this one

with the first Platinum Jubilee ever

but far more importantly no monarch has ever served it so well.

When Barack Obama was asked at the end his time as President which world leader had impressed him most

he paused and his mind doubtless ran through the gallery of contemporary figures

and he said Queen Elizabeth

and I believe he was right.

And that is why next week the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth will be unabashed in celebrating not just the institution of the Crown but the individual who wears it.

This remarkable woman who by God and her right has led her country through good times and bad.

Who has dedicated her life to her people, to her beloved Commonwealth and to the very idea of what a constitutional monarchy can and should be.

and who has already racked up so many superlatives, some of which the Speaker has already referred to.

In her 25,677 days as Queen, Her Majesty has undertaken more than 21,000 official engagements in well over a hundred countries.

She’s granted Royal Assent to some 4,000 pieces of legislation sent to her by this House.

Hosted 112 state visits

And been served by 14 British Prime Ministers.

So far.

Across all her realms she has offered counsel and wisdom to more than 170 heads of government, including two generations of Trudeaus.

So far.

She’s the holder of at least seven world records, including the most summer Olympiads opened by one person.

Although at only one such ceremony did she parachute out of a helicopter in a pink dress.

And of course there was one Olympic medal ceremony when she could claim to have bred both the rider – the Princess Royal – and the horse

a claim that will likely go unrivalled for some time to come.

And if you needed evidence of the mark she has made on our capital city, not one but two London transport lines have been named in her honour.

and it is not so much what she has done as the way she has done it

getting the best out of people

inspiring them to serve others and to serve their communities

helping to create that invisible thread of pride and allegiance that tugs on all our hearts

and makes us happy to serve or at least to do something for our country

in the way that she serves this country.

And I know that Prime ministers are not supposed to relay their conversations with The Queen

and I will not, except to say that her knowledge and understanding of politics and world affairs is profound.

and there have been times when I have been scrabbling to remember a historical date or the name of an African capital

and she has got there first

and when it comes to some subjects – anything equestrian – I am simply nowhere.

And I bet I speak for every Prime Minister who has ever had an audience with Her Majesty when I say that our conversations are always immensely comforting

because she has seen the sweep of it

she has seen the cycle from gloom to elation

and, every time, her country under her has gone forward from strength to strength.

She has seen an empire transformed into a happy Commonwealth that countries are now bidding to join.

And in the thousand-year history of this place

no monarch has seen such an increase in the longevity or the prosperity or the opportunity or the freedom of the British people

no monarch has seen such technical advances many of which British scientists played a leading part

from the dawn of the internet to the use of the world’s first approved Covid vaccine.

No monarch by her efforts and dedication and achievement better deserves the attribute of greatness

and for me she is already Elizabeth the Great.

While she remains resolutely supported by the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge and other members of the Royal Family

we know these celebrations will be tinged with sadness for Her Majesty by the absence of the Duke of Edinburgh, her strength and stay.

And so I hope that in the coming days we can together further comfort her and reassure her

and show with every bonfire

with every concert and street party and aerobatic display

a love and a devotion to reciprocate the love and devotion and leadership she has shown to the whole country over seven decades.

And on behalf of the whole House

let me say, as the scholars of Westminster cried out from the Abbey’s triforium on Coronation Day 70 years ago:

“Vivat Regina Elizabetha!”

God save Queen Elizabeth.