19 Could 2025
Excellencies,
Distinguished Colleagues,
It’s an honour to affix you as we speak, and I thank His Excellency the Chair―Dr Saleh al-Hasnawi, Minister of Well being of the Republic of Iraq―for this vital alternative.
The World Well being Group tremendously values its longstanding partnership with the League of Arab States.
Our cooperation is rooted in a shared dedication to bettering lives and well being throughout the Arab area—by solidarity, evidence-based motion, and a collective will to advance well being for all.
Collectively, we’ve made vital progress.
Our joint achievements embody the Regional Nursing and Midwifery Technique,1 the Multi-sectoral Arab Technique for Maternal, Baby, and Adolescent Well being,2 the Arab Technique on Well being and Atmosphere,3 and the Arab Technique for Well being-Pleasant Budgeting.
On catastrophe danger discount, WHO has supported Member States with danger profiling, emergency planning, and health-focused capacity-building―together with on the Sixth Arab Platform for Catastrophe Danger Discount in Kuwait this yr.
Our joint work on tobacco management represents a mannequin for multisectoral cooperation. Crucially, the League supported the adoption and implementation of the WHO Framework Conference on Tobacco Management throughout Arab nations—demonstrating the ability of a unified Arab response to a regional public well being problem.
Our work in areas equivalent to nationwide well being surveys, well being indicator reporting, and digital well being methods is laying the groundwork for extra data-driven policymaking throughout the area.
Every of those initiatives displays the ability of partnership to ship outcomes throughout sectors.
But we should face the fact of a deeply regarding well being outlook.
The Jap Mediterranean Area continues to bear a disproportionate share of world humanitarian crises—internet hosting one-third of all international emergencies.
Right now, 15 per cent of our inhabitants requires humanitarian help―and wishes are escalating. These crises demand a unified, multisectoral response.
In nations like Sudan and the occupied Palestinian territory, well being diplomacy and entry to care are issues of life and demise.
We urge all Arab League members with the means to take action to develop their assist—financially, technically, and politically.
Within the face of mounting challenges, WHO is mobilizing emergency response efforts and investing in long-term options.
Our Regional Strategic Operational Plan 2025–2028 goals to advance common well being protection, construct resilient well being methods, strengthen well being safety, and promote well being and well-being.
Alongside it, we’re driving ahead three flagship initiatives that may fast-track progress on well being workforce growth, entry to important medical merchandise, and the problem of substance use.
Collectively, we’re making a big affect in lots of of those areas, and I’m excited for what’s but to come back.
Trying forward, one other vital alternative is the Pandemic Settlement, which might be mentioned throughout this yr’s World Well being Meeting. We rely in your assist.
The Settlement is not only a authorized instrument—it’s a promise to future generations that may strengthen pandemic prevention, surveillance, and equitable entry to care.
We’re additionally eager to additional our institutional ties. WHO/EMRO stands able to finalize a Memorandum of Understanding with the League of Arab States to formalize and develop our collaboration.
Excellencies,
Our partnership has by no means been extra pressing.
Allow us to act collectively to ship well being and hope for each Arab.
