Full Statement of Dr Tedros on last day of World Health Assembly
Full Statement of Dr Tedros on last day of World Health Assembly

The 75th week-long session of the World Health Assembly was summed up yesterday, May 29, 2022. World leaders and health experts from across the globe partook in the health assembly from May 22 to 29. 

The Director-General of the World Health Organisation – Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, was also present at the meeting. 

Full statement of Ghebreyesus on the last day of WHA75 is as below: 

“I thank all the Member States for your hard work during the past week.

As always, you all have dealt with a large agenda and adopted landmark decisions & resolutions on sustainable financing. On strengthening the health emergency preparedness & response, On communicable & non-communicable diseases as well as mental health, On health workforce, Polio eradication & transition, Medical devices, & a huge range of the other issues”. 

Of course, we hope you will be able to find consensus on adopting the Global health sector strategies on health issues such as – HIV, viral hepatitis & sexually transmitted infections. All these strategies are required urgently to drive progress against these diseases, which affect all Member States. Consensus is always – preferable, but from my point of view, we should not be afraid of voting when required to move ahead on pressing – global health challenges. Sometimes we are required to break with tradition, and that is what you did”. 

“Excellencies, dear colleagues & friends, When you elected me five years ago, it was the greatest honour of my life. But this week, you again gave me an even greater honour by electing me for another term of the World Health Organisation”.

“I am deeply grateful for, & humbled by, the support, trust & confidence of Member States. Thank you so much. The trust & the confidence you have put in me is also trust & confidence in the incredible people – I am privileged to call my colleagues. I do not have words to express the depth of my gratitude, admiration & respect for all our staff all across the globe – in-country offices, regional offices, & headquarters, especially those who work in difficult as well as dangerous conditions”.

“I also would like to take a moment and thank Regional Directors, our headquarters leadership team, & I want to thank the staff in my office – the people you do not see but without whom I could not do my job.

And finally, I thank you, our – Member States. This is your WHO. It is my honour and my privilege to serve you. I am ready to get on with the work”. 

“I began the week by telling you about my experience as a – child growing up in war and the lasting effects that have had on me. Today, there are kids just like me growing up all over the world in war, hunger, poverty, & the constant threat of disease. Each year, more than 5 million children either don’t survive their own birth or die before their 5th birthday from pneumonia, diarrhoea, malaria and other preventable diseases. Those children are the reason we are here. They are the reason we come together to imagine a better world”. 

“Those children are the reason we’re here. They are the reason we come along to imagine a better world. A healthier world, A safer world, A fairer world. As we leave this place – as you return to your countries to implement the plans, strategies and roadmaps you have agreed on this week – those children must be our motivation as we continue to work for health for peace and peace for health. Peace, peace, peace”.