Geneva: The State of Qatar is participating in meetings of the 155th session of the Executive Board of the World Health Organization (WHO) held in Geneva on Tuesday. The Qatari delegation is led by HE Minister of Public Health Dr. Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari. During the meeting, HE chair of the Executive Board Dr. Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari handed over the chairpersonship of the Executive Board to HE Permanent Representative of Barbados to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, Matthew Anthony Wilson, as the new chair of the WHO Executive Board. In her speech, HE Dr. Al Kuwari extended her best wishes to the new chairman, expressing confidence in his leadership and the support from the board members. She highlighted the challenges and achievements faced by the board, particularly noting the profound impact of conflicts on healthcare workers and facilities worldwide. She emphasized that the instability caused by violence and war not only jeopardizes healthcare delivery but al so poses risks for disease outbreaks and the deterioration of health among people with chronic conditions and disabilities. Her Excellency underscored the significance of the Executive Board's special session in December 2023 concerning Gaza and the Occupied Palestinian Territory amid the Israeli aggression, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the safety and security of healthcare workers and facilities globally. She also stressed the importance of the adoption of the Health and Peace resolution by the World Health Assembly, marking a crucial step towards ensuring health for all. HE the Minister of Public Health outlined that in preparation for the World Health Assembly, critical issues that shape the work of the organization, and global health as a whole were discussed, including the Fourteenth General Programme of Work, the pandemic agreement, the international health regulations, and health and climate change, adding that some of these issues were successfully adopted by the assembly, while others req uire continued collaboration among member states to address remaining gaps. Her Excellency acknowledged the need for more time to discuss and address technical health issues and noted progress in key reforms, such as the process for electing regional directors. She called for continued efforts to ensure the WHO is well-managed, transparent, and sustainable. She expressed gratitude to the countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Executive Board members, the WHO Director-General, and the WHO team for their significant efforts. She emphasized the importance of working together towards a healthier world for all. HE WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and HE the new Executive Board Chair Matthew Anthony Wilson thanked the State of Qatar, represented by HE Minister of Public Health, for her significant efforts during her chairpersonship of the board, which led to important achievements across various areas of the organization's work. They expressed their eagerness to continue working with H E the Minister of Public Health in her role as an active member of the Executive Board. Executive Board members also thanked the State of Qatar, represented by HE the Minister of Public Health, for her efforts during her chairpersonship of the board in a challenging term, particularly highlighting the dire situation in Palestine amid ongoing Israeli aggression, especially in the Gaza Strip. At its 153rd session, the WHO Executive Board elected the State of Qatar, represented by HE Minister of Public Health Dr. Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari, as chair of the board for a one-year term. The Executive Board's meetings will discuss several important topics, including the outcomes of the 77th World Health Assembly, reports from the Programme, Budget, and Administration Committee of the Executive Board, and the Standing Committee on Health Emergency Prevention, Preparedness, and Response. The discussions will also cover issues within the WHO's fourth pillar, "Enhancing WHO's efficiency and effectiveness in providing be tter support to countries." The Executive Board consists of 34 members with technical qualifications in health, elected for three-year terms. Its main functions are to implement the decisions and policies of the World Health Assembly, advise it, and generally facilitate its work. Source: Qatar News Agency