The State of Qatar is actively participating in the 77th World Health Assembly, which will take place in Geneva, Switzerland from May 27 to June 1. Dr Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, Minister of Public Health and Chair of the Executive Board of the World Health Organization, is leading the Qatari delegation to the assembly. This year’s theme is “All for Health, Health for All”, focusing on various important topics such as health conditions in occupied Palestinian territories and the occupied Syrian Golan. Additionally, the meetings will discuss the Executive Board’s reports from its 153rd and 154th sessions.
The World Health Assembly will cover topics under the four pillars of the WHO, aiming to benefit one billion more people through universal health coverage, protection from health emergencies, better health and well-being, and more effective support to countries. Discussions under the first pillar will include universal health coverage, infection prevention and control, immunization, TB strategy, neglected tropical diseases, maternal and child mortality, antimicrobial resistance, and global health strategies on HIV, viral hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections. The assembly will also review the global strategy and targets for malaria from 2016 to 2030.
Under the second pillar, discussions will focus on public health emergency preparedness, the work of the WHO in health emergencies, the Global Health and Peace Initiative, and efforts to eradicate polio and smallpox. The third pillar will cover social determinants of health, nutrition, well-being, climate change, pollution, and economics and health. The fourth pillar will address budget, finance, management, legal, and governance matters to ensure more effective and efficient support for countries.
Qatar is also sponsoring an event on “The Global Action Plan for Healthy Lives and Well-being for All” during the World Health Assembly meetings on May 29. This event aims to support the achievement of health-related sustainable development goals and emphasizes multi-agency cooperation in health, development, and humanitarian issues. The Qatari delegation will participate in various other events, including a ministerial session for the Eastern Mediterranean Region, the World Heart Summit, a WHO-organized event, and a strategic roundtable discussion on artificial intelligence for health.
Following the World Health Assembly, Qatar will attend the WHO Executive Board meetings on June 3 and 4 in Geneva. Key topics of discussion will include the outcomes of the assembly, the election of officials, reports from committees, and matters related to providing better support to countries. The State of Qatar’s active participation in these global health events showcases its commitment to promoting health and well-being at an international level.
