World Health Assembly 65th session
Agenda item 4: Director General
Statement on behalf of the EURO region
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Distinguished Madam Director-General, Excellencies
I am speaking on behalf of the 53 Member states of WHO’s European Region.
Director General Chan,
I would like to congratulate you on your appointment for a second term as Director General of the WHO.
Your re-election here today is a clear sign of the deep respect and support which your able leadership of this Organization has earned.
During the last five years you have demonstrated your firm resolve to attain results for health. You have on numerous occasions challenged us as Member States to take the right – and at times difficult – steps to improve global health. You have been determined to steer the work of this organization into areas where it has added value and where unique, distinct and measurable impacts can be achieved for the health and wellbeing of all people.
You have demonstrated your great merits as a global health leader, open- minded to the diverse needs of the Member states and the global health community. You have put your heart and soul and in your work, showing the most when it came to the health needs of women and the people in Africa.
We acknowledge these efforts. And we look forward to the next five years under your leadership and guidance. Also if it means that you will be asking us Member States to take even more daring decisions.
We have seen progress in many areas over the past five years but challenges remain great. At the agenda of this World Health Assembly we will be debating a number of crucial issues. On this background we strongly support, Madam Director General, the ambitious reform process which you have initiated to ensure that WHO will be fit for purpose to tackle future challenges.
In fact we hope that in the years to come history will judge the reform as one of your most important achievements as Director General of this organisation. This would mean that we have achieved our common ambitions of delivering better health for all.
Madam Director General,
On the eve of the start of your second term in office, we, the 53 MS of the European Region, representing a population of 900 million people, feel that the flagship of WHO is navigated by the right and experienced captain that is courageous to conduct reforms in the organization and in the same time is able to guide us to the most important destinations.
Rest assured that the Member States of WHO’s European Region will stand ready to support you in your work in the years to come.
Thank you.