WHO Director-General's remarks at the 40th anniversary of the Task Force for Global Health – 16 April 2024

Good evening, I'm delighted to be here, and I would like to thank Dr Patrick O'Carroll and his team at the Task Force for Global Health for the invitation, and for accommodating me in the programme this evening.

We just arrived in Washington this afternoon, and I have other meetings on Capitol Hill, so I'm really sorry that I can't stay with you longer, but I really wanted to be here to express my congratulations, and WHO's commitment to our ongoing partnership.

As you know, WHO is a proud co-founder of the Task Force for Global Health, and remains a proud partner.

We have a long and shared history, dating back to the eradication of smallpox in 1984, and the leadership of Dr Bill Foege.

In 2019, I was pleased to meet Dr O'Carroll's predecessor, Dave Ross, and that same year we took our partnership to a new level by making the Task Force a non-state actor in official relations with WHO - a status given to organizations that have engaged substantially with WHO and made a significant contribution to public health.

So I'm very pleased to be here to celebrate your 40^th birthday with you.

And indeed, you have much to celebrate. Over the past 40 years, you have helped to expand access to vaccines for millions of children, supported countries to eliminate neglected tropical diseases, supported countries to strengthen their health systems, and helped countries on the road towards eliminating hepatitis.

In particular, your support for Egypt has been vital in helping it become the first country in the world to achieve gold tier status on the path to hepatitis elimination - and I would like to acknowledge colleagues from the Egyptian embassy who are with us today.

This is just one example of the work the Task Force for Global Health.

Your achievements are testament to one of the most important factors in global health: partnership.

And indeed, partnership is also at the heart of what WHO does.

No single agency alone can meet the scale of health challenges we face globally. We can only do so by leveraging our combined strength to support countries to meet their goals.

In other words, we need each other. And we are more than the sum of our parts.

WHO greatly values the comparative advantages and strengths that the Task Force for Global Health brings to the global health family, and we are committed to supporting you to achieve even more in the years ahead.

Likewise, we very much value your support for WHO. Allow me to highlight just a couple of key priorities for which we would very much value your support as we approach the World Health Assembly next month.

At this year's Assembly, WHO's Member States will consider three especially significant items: the pandemic agreement; the amendments to the International Health Regulations; and the 14^th General Programme of Work - WHO's strategic plan for the next five years.

These three documents have the potential to promote, provide and protect the health of billions of people for generations to come.

In particular, the pandemic agreement is vital for ensuring our world does not repeat the same mistakes that were made during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As you know, Member States have been working hard, but have not yet reached agreement. We would very much value the support of all you in advocating for a strong agreement to be finalised and endorsed at the World Health Assembly.

At the Assembly we will also launch an important new initiative: the WHO Investment Round.

The Investment Round is the latest part of our long-term work to make WHO's financing more predictable, flexible and sustainable. It's designed to ensure WHO has the funds we need to execute the strategic priorities our Member States set.

We would very much value your support in ensuring the Investment Round is a success. A strong and effective WHO at the centre of the global health ecosystem is essential for the success of the whole system.

At the heart of both the Investment Round and the pandemic agreement is the same principle that has been at the heart of the work of the Task Force for Global Health since its inception 40 years ago - equity.

It's the same principle on which WHO was founded 76 years ago, with a commitment to the highest attainable standard of health for all people, as a fundamental right for all people, without distinction.

Not a luxury for those who can afford it - a right for all.

WHO greatly values the continuing partnership of the Task Force for Global Health as we work together, building on that shared principle towards our shared vision.

Thank you all once again for the invitation to join you this evening, and congratulations once again on your 40^th birthday. I wish you many happy returns, and I look forward to our continued partnership in the years to come.

I thank you.

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