26 May 2025

Thank you all for being here today. 

It is always a pleasure to connect with ACANU—you know the issues and care deeply about the UN. 

Let me begin with the World Health Assembly—particularly the Pandemic Accord—before turning to Gaza and Sudan. 

WHA78 has delivered real breakthroughs for global health, despite a fraught international context. 

The Pandemic Agreement? Adopted.

The Programme Budget 2026–2027? Endorsed.

The 20 per cent increase in assessed contributions? Approved.

The Investment Round? US$170 million in new pledges. 

These are major wins for multilateralism. 

In the wake of a once-in-a-century pandemic, countries came together to strengthen the global health architecture through a landmark accord. 

Amid shrinking development aid, we:

reprioritized within a leaner budget,

strengthened burden-sharing across Member States, and

mobilized record voluntary contributions. 

We have now secured 60 per cent of our base budget for 2026–27—a remarkable result in today’s financial climate. 

I am proud to say that my Region, the Eastern Mediterranean, has played its part.  

On the Pandemic Accord, EMR Member States successfully forged consensus on complex issues like pathogen access and benefit sharing, technology transfer, and equitable supply chains—ensuring the voice of our Region is heard. 

And Egypt played a leading role in guiding the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body as a member of the INB Bureau. 

But what does this Accord mean for Regions like ours―where countries grapple with health service provision amid conflict, fragility and displacement? 

Put simply, the Pandemic Agreement offers a clear roadmap towards a more secure, equitable, and self-reliant future. 

We must act decisively to implement its provisions—even before formal ratification. We have no time to lose. 

On access: Investing in local manufacturing and strengthening regulatory systems will reduce dependence on fragile global supply chains. Pooled procurement will enhance our collective bargaining power, reinforce supply chain resilience, and ensure timely and equitable access to health products. 

On technology transfer: Transparent licensing, access to know-how, and international cooperation can unlock local innovation. Regional R&D networks and innovation hubs are key to building scientific readiness and health sovereignty. 

On health workforce: Our Region faces critical health workforce shortages. We are working to boost investment in training, retention, and career development. 

On the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) system: With stronger lab and regulatory capacities, our countries can fully engage in the global PABS system—ensuring that lifesaving tools developed from shared materials are equitably distributed. 

On the One Health approach: The EMR faces significant zoonotic and environmental risks. Strengthening cross-sector coordination, data sharing, and predictive analytics will bolster our early warning systems. As part of the Pandemic Agreement, the forthcoming guidance from the Conference of the Parties on national pandemic surveillance offers a valuable opportunity for EMR countries to align with global norms while responding to local realities. 

Finally, on sustainable financing: For countries facing economic hardship, the Accord is a chance to anchor long-term investment in preparedness and health security.  

Turning to Gaza, the situation is catastrophic. 

At WHA, I raised the persistent attacks on health—over 1,500 in Gaza and the West Bank since October 2023—and worsening food insecurity. One in five Gazans faces starvation. 

I joined calls for international humanitarian law to be upheld, for the blockade to be lifted, and for a ceasefire and durable peace. 

Two key decisions were approved:

One calls for WHO action and reporting on the health situation in the occupied Palestinian territory and occupied Syrian Golan.

The other requests the Director-General notify the International Health Regulations (2005) to Palestine—which allows Palestine to express interest in becoming a State Party to the Regulations. 

This follows the WHA77 resolution on aligning Palestine’s participation in WHO with its UN status. 

Palestine, like any other territory, can experience or be the origin of outbreaks. 

Including Palestine in IHR communications eliminates a blind spot in global surveillance and strengthens global health security. 

Another devastating crisis that is not getting the attention it deserves is Sudan. 

Simultaneous outbreaks—cholera, polio, measles, dengue, malaria—are overwhelming a health system shattered by conflict. 

Access to care is vanishing, as violence displaces millions and blocks life-saving aid. 

Hunger and malnutrition affect 25 million—including 770,000 children facing severe acute malnutrition this year. 

Immunization rates have plunged to below 50 per cent, from 85 per cent before the war. 

Attacks on health and vital infrastructure are rampant. Drones have hit Port Sudan and other aid entry points. 

167 WHO-verified attacks on health facilities, ambulances, patients and health workers have caused more than 1,120 deaths. 

Despite this, WHO remains on the ground, leading the health response.

We have delivered over 2,500 metric tonnes of supplies, and support 18 primary care centres, 31 hospitals, and 138 nutrition stabilization sites. Mobile clinics and field hospitals serve the hardest-hit areas. 

Over one million people have been treated at WHO-supported hospitals, including 75,000 children for severe acute malnutrition. 30 million people have received vaccines for cholera, measles, or polio.  

A critical milestone came in November 2024: Sudan introduced the malaria vaccine, reaching 35,000 children by early 2025. With UNICEF, we are working to integrate this into routine immunization. 

But aid cuts are threatening progress. 

The health pillar of Sudan’s Humanitarian Response Plan is just 9.7 per cent funded. WHO’s response has a 67 per cent funding gap. 

We urgently call for:

Sustained support to save lives and rebuild Sudan’s health system.

Unimpeded access and international support for cross-border humanitarian operations, and the reduction of bureaucratic hurdles.

An immediate end to attacks on civilians, civilian infrastructure and health care. 

Health is a human right―even in war.