Honourable Minister Dr Jaleela bint Alsayed Jawad Hasan,
Honourable Parliamentary State Secretary Dr Georg Kippels,
Former Minister Dr Hanan Al Kuwari,
Dr Sania Nishtar,
My friend Alan Donnelly,
Hatice Beton,
Dear colleagues and friends,
Thank you all for joining us today, both online and here in Geneva.
I thank Alan, Hatice and your teams for organising this event, and for your advocacy and support for global health in general, and for WHO in particular.
As you know, 2025 has been a year of both challenges and triumphs for WHO.
Last month, the World Health Assembly adopted the Pandemic Agreement, a truly generational accomplishment, and a landmark in the history of WHO and global health.
The Assembly also approved the next increase in assessed contributions for WHO, putting us on the path to a more sustainable and resilient future.
This comes at a critical time, as WHO and the entire global health world are facing a financial crisis, with drastic reductions in official development assistance by many countries, and multilateralism under attack.
In the face of these disruptions, we are tightening our belts as we realign and transition to a new phase in the Organization’s life.
But in every crisis is an opportunity, and we are confident that we will emerge from this situation stronger, sharper and more focused on our core mandate, more empowered to serve the nations and people of the world.
But of course, WHO is just one small part of a much bigger picture.
Around the world, dramatic reductions in aid are having severe impacts on health services in many countries.
We see disruptions affecting millions of people who are missing out on life-saving services and medicines, health facilities are being forced to close and health workers let go, supply chains and information systems are disrupted, and out-of-pocket health spending is on the rise.
WHO is supporting countries to navigate this crisis and sustain health services.
But again, in the crisis lies an opportunity.
Many health ministers have told me that this crisis can also help them to leave behind the era of aid dependency and move towards sustainable self-reliance, by mobilizing domestic resources.
There are many tools available to countries to improve efficiency and generate new revenue for health.
For example, by introducing or increasing taxes on tobacco and alcohol, or through pooled procurement, public health insurance, and by using health technology assessments to ensure countries get the biggest health benefit for the money.
Most importantly, countries must improve domestic revenue and tax systems, to generate sustainable flows of public funding for health, education, infrastructure and other essential government services.
However, efficiency gains and domestic revenue generation alone will not be enough for many countries, who will need concessional loans to support the most cost-effective investments, aligned to country priorities and flowing through country systems.
In this regard, I welcome the H20 report on health taxonomy, which offers a way to catalyse much-needed dialogue between health and finance actors across both public and private sectors.
I also welcome the H20 report from the Legislators Initiative on NCDs and Mental Health, led by the G20-G7 Health and Development Partnership.
As you know, seven out of 10 of the leading causes of death are due to NCDs, and mental health conditions affect nearly one billion people worldwide.
And yet the world is unlikely to meet the target set in the Sustainable Development Goals to reduce premature mortality from NCDs by one third by 2030.
This year’s High-Level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health at the UN General Assembly is therefore an important opportunity for countries to make concrete commitments to address NCDs and their risk factors in this new economic reality.
Fortunately, there are solutions at hand. We know what works.
WHO has compiled an evidence-based list of recommended “Best Buy” interventions that offer the best return on investment.
Addressing the root causes of NCDs and their determinants requires working across sectors: education, finance, urban planning, agriculture, environment, and others.
Sania in our round table was telling us about her experience in Pakistan, highlighting this important dimension, bringing everyone together.
Let me leave you with three requests as we move forward together in these uncertain times:
First, we seek your continued commitment to universal health coverage, built on the foundation of strong primary health care, to expand access to services for NCDs and mental health;
Second, we seek your support for countries on their journey towards self-reliance, based on domestic financing, in line with the landmark resolution on health financing at this year’s World Health Assembly, and the new report on health taxonomy.
Next week’s Gavi replenishment will also be vital for supporting immunization in many countries, and ensuring hard-won gains are not lost. And I hope you’ll continue to support Gavi.
And third, we seek your advocacy for concrete outcomes from the important meetings this year, including the Conference on Financing for Development in Seville; the High-Level meeting on NCDs at the UN General Assembly, and the G20 Summit under the South African Presidency in November.
Thank you all once again for your support for, and commitment to WHO, and to our founding vision: the highest attainable standard of health, not as a luxury for some – but a right for all.
Gesundheit ist ein Menschenrecht.
I thank you.