WHO - World Health Organization

10/30/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/30/2023 08:27

WHO Director-General's welcoming remarks at the Inauguration of the 76th Session of the Regional Committee, WHO South-East Asia Region – 30 October 2023

Your Excellency Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Chair of the 76th Session of the Regional Committee

Regional Director Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh,

Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, dear colleagues and friends,

I thank Your Excellency Minister Mandayiva for your leadership and commitment to Health for All.

I thank the government and people of India for your hospitality in hosting the WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia meeting of the Regional Committee.

This 76th Session of the Regional Committee comes at an important period, both globally and regionally.

In May of this year, I was able to declare an end to COVID-19 as a global health emergency. The disease is still circulating and still evolving, and now is not the time to let down our vigilance.

For the Region, this session of the Regional Committee will oversee a transition as the election for the next Regional Director will take place on the 1st of November 2023.

The South-East Asia Region, although composed of only eleven countries, is home to more than a quarter of the world's population and must address a significant burden of disease.

I am encouraged to see the efforts that SEARO countries are making to combat tuberculosis, as the region accounts for nearly half of the world's illness and death from this ancient disease.

And to date, seven of the eleven countries in the region have eliminated at least one Neglected Tropical Disease.

Under the leadership of Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, the region has made progress in many areas, including disease control and advancing universal health coverage based on a foundation of primary health care.

I commend Dr Singh for working to drive the resources the Region receives to country offices. Strengthening our country offices, including with a greater delegation of authority, is a top priority.

You have many important issues to deliberate in the coming day. I look forward to the discussions on sustainable financing and on the Investment Round. The success of this initiative will shape our work going forward.

I thank you.