Thank you, Mister President.
The 2025 public health prizes and awards celebrate outstanding professionals and entities who have made a significant contribution to global health, and whose work has extended far beyond the call of normal duty.
It is an honour to recognise these champions of health from around the world:
From China, an inspiring promoter of active aging, dementia care and prevention, and the mental well-being of older adults.
From Denmark, a novel approach to suicide prevention and early intervention in psychosis.
From Kuwait, outstanding leadership in taking a holistic approach to healthy ageing.
From Slovenia, community-based preventive programmes for the most disadvantaged.
From South Africa, a relentless innovator with multifaceted local, national and global contributions to increase access for health for all.
And from Tunisia, the deep commitment to incorporate medical ethics into health policies and field work, both at the national and regional levels.
I congratulate each of the laureates for their inspirational contributions to health and wellbeing.
And I thank the foundations and institutions who support these awards.
I wish to recognize in particular this year Mr Sasakawa, who has done so much to help improve health for the world's most vulnerable people in his collaboration with WHO over fifty years.
At a time when the world faces many challenges, each of you is an inspiration and a reminder of the progress that can be made to improve health and wellbeing for all.
I salute you all, I commend you, and I ask you to continue your important work to bring us all together as we work towards a healthier and fairer world.
I thank you.