Talking points for the RC a.i. in Egypt opening remarks - celebrating the 75th anniversary of WHO

Dr.Ahmed Al Mandhari, WHO EM Regional Director

Your Excellencies,

Honorable Ministers,

On behalf of the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Egypt, Ms. Elena Panova, and in my capacity as Resident Coordinator ad interim, I would like to express my deep honor to be joining you today and would like to convey my sincere congratulations to the World Health Organization on this historic milestone, the 75th Anniversary.

In 1948, countries of the world came together and founded WHO to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable – so everyone, everywhere can attain the highest level of health and well-being. 

WHO chose “Health for All” to be its slogan for the World Health Day in 2023, reaffirming its constitution that states that the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is a fundamental human right for everyone everywhere, and not a luxury for only those who can afford it.

However, today inequalities still prevent half of the world’s population from the essential health services they need.

Putting “Health for All By All” into practice means that these inequalities must be eliminated to ensure that no-one is left behind.

This brings to the attention that our world is an unequal one. Many people around the world are unable to live healthier lives due to the conditions in which they are born, grow, live, work and age.

The pandemic has served as a powerful reminder that no one is safe until everyone is safe, and that solidarity between countries, and collaboration between different sectors, are essential in tackling public health crises.

Today is an opportunity to look back on key public health successes that have saved lives in the last seven decades, in the world and in Egypt.

It is also an opportunity to motivate action to tackle the health challenges of today ̶ and tomorrow. 

Collaboration is at the heart of what we do as UN agencies. In Egypt, this is reflected in the new UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2023-2027, the main instrument for coordinated activities between the UN System and the Government.

Collaboration for health has had a long history in Egypt, politically endorsed by the Government of Egypt, facilitated by the RC, and led by WHO, as the UN agency mandated to connect and lead global efforts to give everyone an equal chance at a healthy life  including the most vulnerables such as disabeled, refugees and migrants, aligned with the Global Action Plan for healthy lives and well-being (GAP), giving strategic directions to harmonization and alignment for support to the health SDG 3. 

Most evidently, in the wake of COVID-19, the UN organizations in Egypt came together, with the lead of WHO along with Egypt Prime Minister office and the Ministry of Health and Population to develop and support Egypt’s “Country Preparedness and Response Plan” to save lives, ensure equitable access to vaccines, and maintain the essential health including mental health services continuity during the pandemic.

The GoE was able to render the challenges of the pandemic as a catalyst to improve overall health security, not only at national level but also at regional and global level to enhance partnership in protecting health of people. It has been evidence also by the launch of  “One health” strategy today  collaborating across sectors to address determinants of health and evidence of health in all polices.

As an important milestone, Egypt endorsed the Universal Health Insurance Law in 2018 and has since started a ten-year strategy to roll it out, with health financing and health delivery system redesigning, embarking on a bold path for universal health coverage amid strong political support.

I would like to assure you that the UN is fully committed to continuing our partnership with Egypt to provide all people living in Egypt with a better and healthier life.

As we mark the 75th anniversary, we look back with pride, and we look forward with hope, and confidence that we can all tackle the challenges of today and tomorrow, through science, solutions, and solidarity.