Sixty-second World Health Assembly

Mr. President [Ramsammy]
Madam Director-General [Chan]
Mr. State Councillor [Unger]
Excellencies
Ladies and Gentlemen:

It is a great pleasure for me to continue the welcome tradition of addressing you at the Palais des Nations for the annual World Health Assembly.

The health of each human being is the very foundation of our collective progress and development. Securing better health and access to adequate, affordable care are key components of the Millennium Development Goals. Regrettably, despite advances, we are not fully on track to realizing the Goals within the 2015 deadline. There is an urgent need to enhance primary care, in particular to reverse the negative trends in maternal and newborn health where there has been far too little progress.

Effective health care systems are a critical factor in achieving and sustaining economic gains that will allow fellow human beings to escape the poverty trap. At a time of deep economic and financial crisis, there is understandably concern that present levels of financing for international health development may not be maintained. As the international community, we have a responsibility to ensure a continued focus on, and funding for, a strengthening of global public health. Donor commitments must be matched by exploration of innovative avenues for the financing of health systems.

The outbreak of Influenza A (H1N1) has demonstrated unequivocally that challenges to public health are global in scope with severe local effects. Disease does not respect borders or institutional boundaries. It can be confronted effectively only through concerted, coordinated multilateral efforts, linking national, regional and international levels and anchored in global solidarity and support.

As concerns climate change, it represents a significant threat to public health. It is global in scope, but its consequences will not be evenly distributed. Developing countries stand to be hardest hit. It is the hope of the United Nations that consideration of the health impact of climate change may contribute to the momentum for a new comprehensive, inclusive and ratifiable climate deal to replace the Kyoto Protocol at the United Nations Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen in December.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Just as the health of individuals is connected across borders in our globalized world, so the global public health agenda is linked to the United Nations’ broader agenda. Our efforts for security and development more generally can have a profound impact on public health. Currently, global military expenditure has topped 1.3 trillion dollars, draining much-needed resources away from development, which includes health. With stronger efforts for disarmament, funds could be redirected towards development-related investment, also in the health sector. As we work together to reinforce our responses in the health area, we must not lose sight of these connections.

In a world of inter-related challenges, human health is often the first victim. We need strong partnerships to deliver solutions both on existing and emerging health threats. Together, we can prevent disease, save lives and enable communities to thrive. The World Health Assembly has a particular role and responsibility in taking forward these collective efforts. And I know you have the commitment to making it happen.

I wish you a productive Assembly.

Thank you very much.