Opening address by Her Excellency Dr. Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari, Minister of Public Health to …
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Your Excellencies
Dr Tedros, Director General of the WHO
Dr Hanan Balky, Regional Director of the Eastern Mediterranean Region,
Honourable Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
It is with immense pleasure and honour that Qatar is hosting this significant event, the Seventy-First session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean and we are confident that it will be a successful and fruitful meeting.
The theme of this session, “Health Beyond Borders: Action, Access, Equity,” is of exceptional relevance to our region, where conflicts, natural disasters, epidemics, and political unrest have deteriorated healthcare services in several countries.
This situation calls for responsibility, solidarity, and fairness to improve the lives of all people.
We have learned from epidemics and pandemics, especially COVID-19, the importance of solidarity in achieving “Health Beyond Borders”. Strengthening health systems and services within our national borders, although essential, may not be enough, as health protection requires global efforts and a pivotal role of the World Health Organization.
Indeed, over the last few years member states have seen the importance of strengthening WHO and have adopted resolutions such as increasing assessed contributions to empower WHO to deliver the recently approved GPW14.
Your Excellencies,
Qatar strongly believes that investing in global health and in
WHO is an investment in global stability, security and health.
Recognising its humanitarian and international responsibilities, and in implementation of the directives of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, the State of Qatar attaches great importance to international cooperation and is committed to supporting programs and
