The 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) opened Monday in Geneva, Switzerland, under the theme One World for Health.
Addressing the opening event, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated every WHA is significant, but this years gathering is particularly historical as member states are expected to think about and possibly embrace the pandemic agreement.Tedros likewise contacted member states to approve the next round of assessed contribution increases to help ensure the WHOs long-term monetary sustainability and independence.
Lei Haichao, head of Chinas National Health Commission and leader of the Chinese delegation, delivered a declaration during the basic debate Monday, highlighting Chinas active engagement in global health cooperation.
He stated that over the previous six decades, China has dispatched more than 30,000 medical personnel to 77 countries and regions, providing treatment to over 300 million patients.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, China provided 500 billion individual protective items and 2.3 billion dosages of vaccines globally.Lei repeated that China will continue to support the WHO and multilateralism through concrete actions.
He welcomed the companys internal reforms and expressed Chinas desire to work with other member states to develop an international community of health for all.He likewise said that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China and the WHA has actually long made clear decisions not to consist of in its agenda a so-called proposal on Taiwans involvement in the yearly assembly as an observer.The remarks made by a little number of nations concerning Taiwan disrupted the agenda and broke the will of the global community, he noted, including that China prompts these countries to stop interfering in its internal affairs.A major focus of this years assembly is the consideration of the much-anticipated pandemic contract.
The WHO revealed on April 16 that following more than three years of intensive negotiations, member states have actually reached an agreement on a draft of the agreement.Delegates will also examine the 2024 results report and deliberate on around 75 agenda items covering a large range of subjects, including the health and care labor force, antimicrobial resistance, health emergency situations, polio and climate change, to name a few issues.Sustainable financing is another key concern.
The assembly is anticipated to go over the proposed program spending plan for 2026-2027, which may be reduced from $5.3 billion to $4.267 billion, along with efforts to refocus top priorities, enhance core functions and boost organizational efficiency.The World Health Assembly is the WHOs highest decision-making body and is normally held every May in Geneva.
Its primary duties include setting organizational policies and reviewing and approving the program budget plan.
This years assembly is set up to conclude on May 27.