Incheon: The chief of a global initiative focused on providing affordable medical treatments to low-and-middle income countries has highlighted South Korea's exemplary handling of the COVID-19 pandemic as a potential model for future global health responses. Philippe Duneton, Executive Director of Unitaid, praised South Korea's approach for its effective management and minimal disruption during an interview with Yonhap News Agency. According to Yonhap News Agency, Duneton emphasized the significance of South Korea's strategies during his visit to the country for the World Bio Summit. The event, held in Incheon and co-hosted by the South Korean health ministry and the World Health Organization, focused on "Future investments for a healthy and secure decade." Duneton noted South Korea's unique position as one of the countries that avoided a complete lockdown, attributing its success to "discipline and communication," alongside "collective intelligence and responsibility." Unitaid, established in 2006, targets diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria, providing pharmaceutical support to developing nations. South Korea, a significant donor, has contributed US$95 million by the end of 2023 and has been an active member of Unitaid's executive board since its inception. Duneton expressed the organization's intent to enhance its collaboration with South Korea, leveraging the country's competitive edge in biosimilar product manufacturing to ensure affordable treatments are accessible globally. Highlighting South Korea's expertise in diagnostics and rapid test kits during the COVID-19 pandemic, Duneton remarked on the country's potential to aid in the worldwide supply of easy-to-use test kits. He also addressed the challenges of extending cooperation to North Korea, reaffirming Unitaid's commitment to health equity across the Korean Peninsula and its readiness for future collaborations, particularly in addressing pediatric and drug-resistant tuberculosis in North Korea. Duneton stressed the importance of politica l commitment to achieving Unitaid's goals, expressing gratitude towards South Korea for its continued support. He likened public health policy to rugby, emphasizing the role of politicians in creating opportunities for effective health interventions.