Opening of the seventy-first session of the Regional Committee for Global Health in the Eastern Mediterranean

The seventy-first session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean opened this morning in Doha, Qatar. The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who participated remotely, and the Regional Director of the World Health Organization for the Eastern Mediterranean, Dr. Hanan Hassan Balkhi, opened the event, along with His Excellency the Minister of Public Health of Qatar, Dr. Hanan Al-Kuwari, and the Minister of Health and Human Services of Somalia, Dr. Ali Haji. Abu Bakr, who chaired the previous session of the Regional Committee.

The Regional Committee is also attended by a number of high-level officials from the 22 countries and territories of the region, along with representatives of many international, regional and national organizations. This year’s session is held, which is The first was after Dr. Hanan assumed the position of Regional Director, under the slogan “Health Without Borders.”

During the first session, Dr. Hanan Al-Kuwari was elected President of the Seventy-First Regional Committee, and the Ministers of Health of Djibouti and the Islamic Republic of Iran were elected Vice-Presidents.

Dr. Hanan Al-Kuwari said in her opening speech: “Conflicts, epidemics, and political unrest have weakened health services in many countries, and this requires taking responsibility, solidarity, and fairness to improve the lives of all people. We have learned from pandemics and epidemics the importance of solidarity, and that Protecting health requires global efforts that transcend national borders.

«The State of Qatar firmly believes that investment in global health and the World Health Organization is an investment in stability and security.

Dr. Abu highlighted Bakr highlighted the fruitful deliberations of the seventieth session of the Regional Committee in his opening speech, and Dr. Abu Bakr said: “Our journey towards a healthier and more resilient region is not only a professional duty, but rather a personal commitment that each of us bears as ministers of health. We must continue to innovate, invest in healthcare infrastructure, and ensure everyone has access to quality healthcare regardless of their location or circumstances.

This is not just a goal, it is our solemn promise. < /p>

In the context of condemning "the killing of civilians and attacks on health care facilities in Gaza" Describing it as a “flagrant violation of international law,” Dr. Abu Bakr called on the international community to work for an unconditional ceasefire.

Regional Director Dr. Hanan Balkhi highlighted the many crises and challenges facing the region, and explained that the Committee Regionalism provides a very important opportunity to discuss it, and she commented, “We need to talk about the problems facing us with complete transparency and clarity.” “And we will do that.” She continued, saying: “But at the same time, we must not allow our resolve to soften or for despair to creep into our hearts.” We have a busy agenda ahead of us, and I am very excited and excited to work with all of you to move it forward.

Dr. Tedros indicated in his speech that the Regional Committee this year is being held at a very difficult time for the region, in light of raging conflicts in the occupied Palestinian territory. , in Sudan, in Yemen, and most recently in Lebanon. It is exacerbated by overcrowding in shelters and the closure of hospitals.

The Director-General concluded his speech by addressing three requests to Member States, saying: “First, I urge all Member States to participate effectively in the ongoing negotiations on the Pandemic Agreement, and to conclude them by End of this year, if possible. Secondly, I urge all Member States to implement the Fourteenth General Program of Work and the Regional Strategic Implementation Plan, and thirdly, I urge all Member States and partners to participate in the Organization’s investment round.

And during In the opening session, keynote speaker Professor Ezzedine Abuelaish from the University of Toronto described the tragic deaths of family members, including his daughters and nieces, in Gaza in 2009.

Despite this painful experience, Professor Ezzedine Abouleish emphasized He emphasized the power of hope in the face of atrocities, and expressed his firm belief that preserving human dignity, safety and well-being in conflicts transcends all other considerations.

“I fully believe that we have the knowledge, talent and power, but we need good intentions to make the world a better place.” We must be careful to consolidate the human nature that brings us together, and realize that we are all equal. Building close bonds between people is the most effective way to prevent the outbreak of conflicts in the long term.

Delegations of the Regional Committee participated, led by the Ministers of Health. And Her Excellency Dr. Hanan Al Kuwari and Regional Director, on the eve of the opening session of the “Health in Word and Action” event. In the Oxygen Park in Doha, and the “Health in Word and Action” event. Launched by the World Health Organization, it is a global health initiative to promote physical activity, and this year’s event highlighted the “Sports for Health” initiative. Which is led by Qatar in cooperation with the organization and the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA).

After the opening ceremony, Dr. Hanan Balkhi and senior colleagues presented the strategic plans of the World Health Organization, including a regional strategic implementation plan to guide its work in the region over the four years.

The seventy-first session of the Regional Committee will continue until October 17, 2024.

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