European Union

Statement

WHO

153^rd Executive Board

(31 May-1 June 2023)

________

Item 3 – Outcome of the Seventy-sixth World Health Assembly

________

Geneva, 30 May 2023

Chair,

Director General,

Excellencies,

Colleagues,

I deliver this statement on behalf of the EU and its Member States.

The candidate countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine, Republic of Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina[1] as well as the potential candidate country Georgia align themselves with this statement.

The 76^th World Health Assembly proved to be a historic assembly in several ways.

The EU and its Member States welcome the adoption of the critical and historic resolutions and decisions, including commitments to reforming the WHO, particularly through the decision to increase Member States’

assessed contributions, as well as landmark resolutions as increasing access to medical oxygen, impacts of chemicals waste and pollution on human health, and the first of its kind on the health of Indigenous Peoples. We also consider it important that WHO can strengthen its preparedness for health emergencies and we welcome the WHO’s support to Ukraine and refugee receiving and hosting countries for an effective humanitarian and emergency health response.

Rich discussions were held on Universal Health Coverage, building momentum ahead of all three UN High-Level meetings on health in September. Furthermore, we welcome the Secretariat’s sustained commitment to a more strategic approach to the prevention of and response to sexual exploitation, harassment and abuse. 

During this WHA, we once again witnessed the move away from the long-standing tradition of seeking consensus at the Health Assembly. We find it highly important this does not becomes the new normal at WHO’s Governing Body Meetings; even when we are addressing difficult and sensitive issues.

It is now time to look forward and reflect upon how we can best support the normative work of the WHO in its mandate to deliver the highest attainable standard of health for all. The EU and its Member States stand ready to engage actively and constructively in the implementation of decisions made at this year’s Health Assembly. 

Thank you.

[1] North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process