The inaugural strategic dialogue between Saudi Arabia and the World Health Organization (WHO) focused on Saudi policies to enhance healthcare efficiency, digital health accessibility, and road traffic safety. The session, led by Saudi Minister of Health Minister Fahd Al-Jalajel and WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, highlighted the commitment to fortifying health cooperation, fostering joint initiatives, supporting global health endeavors, and jointly addressing health crises. The dialogue also included discussions on historical partnerships, regional and international health concerns, healthcare investments, the economy, and scientific research.
The discussions delved into the Kingdom’s Health Sector Transformation Program, which aims to improve care, prevent health risks, and bolster public health efforts. The Investment Round implemented by WHO was also discussed, focusing on addressing critical challenges in global health and mobilizing resources for its core work from 2025 to 2028. Dr. Tedros emphasized the importance of Saudi Arabia’s role as the only G20 country and WHO thematic core funder in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, advocating for health and the Investment Round in the region and beyond.
The dialogue underscored a strong strategic partnership between Saudi Arabia and WHO, dating back to the Kingdom’s accession to WHO in 1961. Discussions focused on achieving broader global health collaboration, including health emergencies, antimicrobial resistance, data management, and digital health innovations. The significance of aligning priorities with WHO’s global health strategy for 2025-2028 and the 14th General Program of Work was emphasized, highlighting the importance of joint efforts in addressing global health challenges.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Health, relevant Saudi authorities, and WHO representatives participated in the two-day session, which concluded on Wednesday. Dr. Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, also attended the dialogue, further emphasizing the commitment to strengthening health cooperation and supporting global health initiatives. The talks highlighted the mutual commitment to fortifying health cooperation, fostering joint initiatives, supporting global health endeavors, and jointly addressing health crises.
The dialogue also focused on key topics such as healthcare investments, the economy, and scientific research, reflecting the shared commitment to advancing healthcare and public health efforts in Saudi Arabia and globally. The discussions highlighted the Kingdom’s efforts to enhance healthcare efficiency and digital health accessibility, as well as its commitment to improving road traffic safety. Through joint initiatives and partnerships, Saudi Arabia and WHO aim to address global health challenges and work towards achieving broader global health collaboration in the years to come.
