Health

Norway's statements at the 66th World Health Assembly

Fri, 31 May 2013 17:00:50 GMT

The 66th World Health Assembly was held in Geneva May 20-28. Main items on the agenda was adoption of voluntary global targets, indicators and a global action plan for noncommunicable diseases, follow up of the Millennium Development Goals, including the follow-up of the Commission on Lifesaving Commodities, and WHO reform. The Members States also adopted the general programme of work and the program budget for the 2014-2015 biennium. Find links to the Norwegian statements underneath.

Minister Støre at the 66th World Health Assembly

Thu, 23 May 2013 11:04:41 GMT

Norwegian Minister of Health and Care Services, Mr. Jonas Gahr Støre, attended the 66th World Health Assembly to lead a side-event on non-communicable diseases. The focus of the event was to share experiences on measures countries have introduced to drive national progress in this area.

The Consultative Expert Working Group on Research and Development report

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 11:08:55 GMT

There is now an open-ended meeting of Member States on the follow-up of the Consultative Expert Working Group on Research and Development ( CEWG) report, on Research and Development. Financing and Coordination 26 – 28 November 2012. The Intervention by Ambassador Steffen Kongstad, Permanent Representative of Norway can be read here;

Global agreement regarding non-communicable diseases

Mon, 12 Nov 2012 10:18:04 GMT

On the 5th to 7th of November, Member States of WHO agreed on voluntary global targets for chronic non-communicable diseases. The negotiations in Geneva was led by Secretary General of the Norwegian Ministry of Health and Care Services, and Norwegian Board Member to the WHO, Dr. Bjørn-Inge Larsen.

Intensified efforts to promote maternal and child health

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 10:36:57 GMT

Every year, almost 300 000 women die in connection with pregnancy and childbirth, and 6.9 million children die from preventable diseases. Many of these women and children could be saved if they had access to simple and affordable medicines. The Government proposes an additional allocation of NOK 650 million to significantly step up Norway’s efforts in the area of maternal and child health.

Norway provides NOK 460 million for global health

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 12:02:13 GMT

“Well-functioning and accessible health services are crucial for development in poor countries,” said Minister of International Development Heikki Holmås. Norway is donating NOK 460 million to the World Health Organization with the aim of promoting better health for all.

More Norwegian funding for health in developing countries

Mon, 04 Jun 2012 10:20:15 GMT

The US and Norway agreed today to increase efforts together to improve women’s and children’s health in poor African countries through the Saving Mothers, Giving Life partnership. Norway will provide up to NOK 500 million over a five year period, which will be used to help women and babies through childbirth and the critical first 24 hours after delivery.

The Health Ministers of The Foreign Policy and Global Health Initiative met at the sidelines of the 65th World Health Assembly in Geneva

Thu, 24 May 2012 14:30:05 GMT

The Ministers of Health of the Foreign Policy and Global Health (FPGH) Initiative, comprising Brazil, France, Indonesia, Norway, Senegal, South Africa and Thailand, met on the sidelines of the 65th World Health Assembly on 22 May to discuss current global health challenges. They reiterated their commitment to accelerate both individual and collective efforts to pursue the achievement of the health related Millennium Development Goals and expressed their determination to engage in the discussion on development goals beyond 2015. The Ministers considered the upcoming United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD) in Rio a key opportunity for the international community to reaffirm the direct linkage between health and sustainable development. Read the full press statement below:

Norway’s statements at the 65th World Health Assembly

Thu, 24 May 2012 14:13:50 GMT

The World Health Assembly meets for the 65th time in Geneva 21-26 May 2012. Head of the Norwegian delegation is the Minister of Health and Care Services, Anne-Grete Strøm-Erichsen. Re-election of the Director General Margaret Chan will be high on the agenda together with consideration of the results of one year of reform efforts by the Executive Board. The World Health Assembly will also consider the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, prevention and control of non-communicable diseases, new criteria for election of the Director General of the WHO and the report from the Consultative Expert Working Group on Research and Development. The agenda also covers a number of other issues. Read Norway’s interventions during the 65th World Health Assembly below.

Keynote address by Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre at the World Health Assembly 2012

Wed, 23 May 2012 16:45:39 GMT

Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre was especially invited by Director General Dr. Margaret Chan of the World Health Organization to address this year’s World Health Assembly. “My point is this: sustainable development is increasingly a question of equity, of good governance and national priorities that protect all the citizens in a country and provide for their basic needs – health ranging prominently among them”, said Foreign Minister Støre. Read the full speach below:

The Government of Norway presents a white paper on global health

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 15:51:34 GMT

On Wednesday 15 February the Government of Norway launched the first white paper on global health in foreign and development policy outlining Norway’s ambitions in this field. The white paper also examines the links between domestic policy and foreign policy. “Efforts to strengthen global health must be promoted not only by health ministers, but also by all those responsible for foreign, climat...

9th Anniversary of the International Day on Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:50:25 GMT

Ambassador Kongstad was among several contributors when the International Day on Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) was commemorated in Geneva 6 February. The event was hosted by the Inter-African Committee on Traditional Practices (IAC). Also Burkina Faso and representatives from World Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA), UNFPA, WHO and the State of Geneva contributed with statements. The event highlighted the international efforts in combating FGM.

WHO Executive Board concludes its 130th meeting

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:20:21 GMT

WHO Executive Board held its 130th meeting in Geneva from 16 to 23 January 2011. WHO reform was high on the agenda with constructive discussions among Member States. The Executive Board also considered the achievement of the health-related Millennium Development Goals, early marriages, social determinants of health, non communicable diseases and WHO role as health cluster lead among other issues. The Executive Board nominated Dr. Margaret Chan for a second term as Director-General of the Organization. Read Norway’s interventions during the Executive Board meeting below.

WHO Executive Board confirms its support to the Commission on Information and Accountability for Women’s and Children’s Health

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:19:28 GMT

The 130th meeting of WHO Executive Board, held in Geneva from 16 – 23 January 2011, expressed its strong support to the work of the Commission on Information and Accountability by adopting a resolution that urges Member States to implement the Commission’s recommendations and underlines the crucial role of WHO in this endeavour. The resolution was proposed by Norway in cooperation with Canada, Senegal and the United Republic of Tanzania.

Executive Board Special Session on Reform

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 12:25:22 GMT

An Executive Board Special Session was held on 1-3 November 2011 in Geneva with the purpose of discussing WHO Reform.

Norway as a member of the WHO Executive Board 2010-2013

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 10:08:52 GMT

A strategy document has been developed outlining Norway's key priorities in its engagement with WHO.

Press release Norwegian health department

Wed, 19 May 2010 09:41:51 GMT

The Ministers of Health of the Foreign Policy and Global Health (FPGH) Initiative met on the sidelines of the 63rd World Health Assembly in Geneva, Joint Communique.

WHA - Norwegian statement in the Assembly's General Debate

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 14:05:05 GMT

Head of the Norwegian delegation to The 61 World Health Assembly, Deputy Minister of Health and Care Services, Ms Rigmor Aasrud Wednesday May 21 presented the Norwegian statement in the Assembly's General Debate. The statement focussed on the importance of achieving the Millenium Development Goals, challenges connected to the effect of climate change on health, the importance of fighting the increasing epidemic of noncommunicable diseases and the process of public health, innovation and intellectual property rights.

Intergovernmental Meeting of Pandemic Influenza Preparedness:Statements.

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 14:05:05 GMT

Norway expressed full support of the efforts of the WHO aimed at increasing the level of preparedness in Member states, and underlined that all countries have a responsibility to contribute to strengthening the influenza pandemic preparedness system. We need to build on and strengthen the existing WHO influenza network, and benefits must be based on public health needs, and should cover all Member States.

WHO celebrates the entry into force of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 14:05:06 GMT

To honour the entry into force of the first global public health treaty ever, WHO held a ceremony on 28 February where the countries which first ratified the Convention in each of WHOs six regions were invited to speak about the process that led them to become a party to the Convention. Below is the statement made by Ambassador Wegger Christian Strømmen on that occasion.