Good evening to all colleagues who have joined from the media and our Organization.

Once again, I would like to thank Professor Steffen and all the members of the Emergency Committee on Ebola for their time and advice.

The Emergency Committee on Ebola has advised that the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to be a public health emergency of international concern, and I have accepted that advice.

As I said yesterday, as long as there is a single case of Ebola in an area as insecure and unstable as eastern DRC, the potential remains for a much larger epidemic.

WHO's risk assessment is that the risk of spread is high nationally and regionally, and low globally.

Nonetheless, the signs are extremely positive in the eastern DRC, and I hope that by the time the Emergency Committee reconvenes, we will be able to declare an end to the outbreak.

But even as we near the end of this outbreak, we must act now to prevent the next one.

And we cannot forget that while this Ebola outbreak has killed 2249 people, measles has killed more than 6300 people in DRC, in less time.

Only half of health facilities have access to water.

Strengthening a health system may not be as sexy as responding to an outbreak, but it is equally important.

Tomorrow I will travel to Kinshasa, DRC for discussions with Felix Tshisekedi President and other senior ministers about how to strengthen DRC's health system and protect and promote the health of its people.

The current outbreak of COVID-19 highlights why this is so critical.

Our greatest fear remains the damage this coronavirus could do in a country like DRC.

Even as the flames of one outbreak begin to die down, we are fighting another fire-front.

As of 6am Geneva time this morning, there are 44,730 cases of COVID-19 in China, with 1,114 deaths.

Outside China, there are 441 cases from 24 countries, and one death.

The number of newly confirmed cases reported from China has stabilized over the past week, but that must be interpreted with extreme caution.

This outbreak could still go in any direction.

The number of countries reporting cases also has not changed since 4 February. Of the 48 new cases confirmed outside China yesterday, 40 were on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship, which is currently quarantined in Yokohama.

We are in constant contact with the Japanese government, the International Maritime Organization, and the owner of the ship to protect the health of all passengers.

Now we have three cruise ships that have experienced delayed port clearance or have been denied entry to ports, often without an evidence-based risk assessment.

Together with the International Maritime Organization, we will issue a communique to all countries to respect the principle of "free pratique" for ships and the principle of proper care for all travelers, in accordance with the International Health Regulations.

We have also established lines of communication with IMO, the Cruise Lines International Association and the major cruise operators to ensure we have accurate information and can provide the right advice.

WHO has published guidance on how to handle public health events like this on ships, and we urge countries and companies to follow that guidance.

I'm also pleased to announce that today Cambodia agreed to accept the Westerdam cruise ship, which has been stranded at sea for several days.

Based on what we have been told, there are no suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 on board the Westerdam.

The ship will arrive in Cambodia tomorrow morning.

This afternoon I spoke to Cambodia's Minister of Health to thank him for allowing the Westerdam to dock in his country, and I would like to use this opportunity to appreciate the government, especially His Excellency the Prime Minister.

This is an example of the international solidarity we have consistently been calling for.

Outbreaks can bring out the best and worst in people.

Stigmatizing individuals or entire nations does nothing but harm the response.

Instead of directing all our energy against the outbreak, stigma diverts our attention and turns people against each other.

I will say it again: this is a time for solidarity, not stigma.

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As you know, the research and innovation forum on COVID-19 concluded this afternoon.

I was very encouraged to see the energy and speed with which the global research community has taken up this challenge.

As we speak, research groups are meeting with the leading research funders to start work immediately on the most pressing questions.

Some of these issues include easy to apply diagnostics, the best approaches for infection prevention, potential therapies that could be used to treat patients, existing vaccine candidates and how to accelerate them, and how to address the infodemic.

We're also doing deeper investigations to identify the source of this virus and to prevent further transmission from animals to humans.

WHO is now developing a master plan for coordinating clinical trials and ensuring they are done coherently and consistently.

Meanwhile, we continue to support countries with the tools and equipment they need now to diagnose cases and protect health workers.

We have shipped diagnostic kits to laboratories around the world, and we will continue to do so.

And we're also sending supplies of masks, gloves, gowns and other personal protective equipment to protect frontline health workers in 18 countries that need our support, and we have more in the pipeline.

Finally, our advance team in China has made good progress in working out the composition of the team and the scope of its work. We hope to have more news to announce soon.

I thank you.