GENEVA — Addressing the ongoing global health challenges, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres underscored the critical role of the World Health Assembly (WHA) during his opening remarks at the 77th session, which commenced on Monday.
According to Philippines News Agency, the assembly is vital as health issues intensify amidst multiple global crises ranging from climate change to conflicts.
In a video message, Guterres detailed the repercussions of these crises on health, noting the direct correlation between conflict and health care accessibility. He highlighted the alarming statistics of over 20 million children missing routine vaccinations globally, outbreaks of Dengue fever in over 20 countries this year exacerbated by rising temperatures, and the severe impacts of war on health care in regions like Sudan and Gaza. Guterres emphasized that these situations result in not just immediate casualties from conflict but also long-term suffering due to disrupted health services.
The WHA, running until June 1 under the theme "All for Health, Health for All," gathers delegations from all WHO member states, various NGOs, and key public health figures in Geneva. Guterres called this gathering an opportunity to fortify global health systems against future crises and urged member states to finalize the pandemic agreement, describing it as a "once-in-a-generation" chance to enhance the global health system’s responsiveness and equity for future pandemics.
Simultaneously, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, also via a video message, reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to global health, highlighting its role as a "strong and reliable" partner in health and well-being initiatives. She reported that the EU, in partnership with WHO, has increased funding and launched the Team Europe Initiative to establish vaccine manufacturing hubs in Africa, aiming to bolster local capabilities and ensure broader health security.
The session also saw Botswana Health Minister Edwin Dikoloti being elected as the president of the 77th assembly, marking a significant start to the proceedings focused on enhancing health cooperation and addressing global health challenges effectively.