Dear HIFA colleagues,
Below are extracts from Dr Tedros' address to the World Health Assembly
Full text here: https://hq_who_departmentofcommunications.cmail20.com/t/d-e-guddhlk-hldd...
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Tuesday, 19 May 2026
WHO Director-General's address to Member States at the 79th World Health Assembly – 19 May 2026
19 May 2026 - Geneva...
Dear colleagues and friends,
Early on Sunday, I declared a public health emergency of international concern over an epidemic of Ebola disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda...
I am deeply concerned about the scale and speed of the epidemic...
The outbreaks of Ebola and hantavirus in the past two weeks show why international threats need an international response...
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Ottawa Charter – a landmark declaration that reminds us that health is created in the places where people live, learn, work and play.
I would like to pay tribute to the architect of the Ottawa Charter, Professor Ilona Kickbusch, and the then Director-General, the late Dr Halfdan Mahler.
In the past year, WHO has worked to promote health and prevent disease, in six key areas.
First, tobacco..
Second, health taxes...
Third, nutrition...
Fourth, climate and environment...
Fifth, violence, injuries and drowning...
And sixth, cities...
The world is facing a shortage of 11 million health workers by 2030, with the biggest gaps in the African and Eastern Mediterranean regions...
At the same time, we’re supporting countries to address specific health threats, in five areas.
First, maternal and child mortality...
Second, vaccine-preventable disease...
Third, disease elimination...
Fourth, communicable diseases...
And fifth, noncommunicable diseases and mental health...
Now to WHO’s work to support Member States to prevent, prepare for and respond to health emergencies.
Most notably last year, Member States adopted the WHO Pandemic Agreement and the amended International Health Regulations entered into force.
Although Member States have not yet reached consensus on the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing system – the PABS annex – they have committed to continuing negotiations, and I have every confidence that they will – you will – finalize it.
WHO took many other steps last year to strengthen health emergency preparedness and response, in two key areas.
First, prevention and preparedness...
Second, response...
In addition to outbreak response, we also responded to the health needs of millions of people affected by humanitarian emergencies.
That included dispatching 150 million U.S. dollars of supplies to 97 countries and territories...
Of course, WHO does not work alone. As the Health Cluster lead of the UN Inter-Agency Standing Committee, we coordinate over 1500 partners...
As WHO moves forward following last year’s prioritization and realignment, one of our priorities is to make better use of our network of collaborating centres, which includes over 800 research institutes in 80 countries.
That’s why in April this year we convened the first Global Forum of WHO Collaborating Centres in Lyon, which involved 577 Collaborating Centres from all six regions, and almost 1200 participants...
And this year we are celebrating 25 years of Research4Life and Hinari, which makes scientific publications available for free or at very low-cost in low- and middle-income countries, helping to address inequities in access to scientific publications and strengthening trust in science.
Finally, we continue to take steps to make WHO more accountable, transparent, efficient and effective, under the fifth P of GPW14, perform for health...
There’s no denying that for WHO, and the countries we serve, the past year was a difficult one.
I would like to place on record my deep respect and gratitude to the WHO colleagues who are no longer with us – and those who still are – and who continue to serve the Organization and Member States with dedication...
We are stronger and safer together – as one world.
That’s why WHO was created in 1948.
That’s why it remains relevant today.
And that’s why its vision must remain our driving force this week: The highest attainable standard of health – not as a luxury for some, but a right for all...
I thank you.
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I am proud that Global Healthcare Information Network/HIFA is working as a non-state actor in official relations with WHO. Within the next 12 months, leading into WHA 2027, we urge WHO to commit explicitly to universal access to reliable healthcare information and to take steps to develop a global strategy for its realisation, as recommended by HIFA's recent global consultation.
Best wishes, Neil
HIFA profile: Neil Pakenham-Walsh is coordinator of HIFA (Healthcare Information For All), a global health community that brings all stakeholders together around the shared goal of universal access to reliable healthcare information. HIFA has 20,000 members in 180 countries, interacting in four languages and representing all parts of the global evidence ecosystem. HIFA is administered by Global Healthcare Information Network, a UK-based nonprofit in official relations with the World Health Organization. Email: neil@hifa.org