My warmest congratulations to you all on the World Health Organization’s 75th anniversary.
As Patron of WHO in the European Region for the past 18 years, I have been privileged to witness and share in your activities, working towards health for all, hand-in-hand with countries, partners and health care professionals.
As the world has changed, you have also adapted and developed to meet the needs and expectations of the citizens you serve.
As new challenges have arisen, you have met them with the principles of equity and inclusion that are enshrined in your constitution.
We are living in challenging times, in the shadow of a pandemic, war in the Region, devastating earthquakes and an increasing number of climate-related extreme events. The work of WHO has never been more demanding, and relevant.
My advocacy work, with a special focus on the well-being of children and young people, I hope has contributed to emphasizing the need to collaborate and coordinate – across sectors, borders and generations – to protect and promote our individual health and shared well-being.
What I have learned through my years as WHO Patron, is that despite the European Region’s extraordinary diversity, our aspirations are surprisingly alike: we share a common hope that the next generation will enjoy better health and greater opportunities to achieve its potential than the last.
Even though health is key to living a fulfilling and meaningful life, it is constantly under threat from various factors. And one of the most significant challenges we face today is AMR, or antimicrobial resistance. These challenges require common, urgent action, and hopefully this Regional Committee will inspire and drive such action.
Also of deep concern, is that an estimated 16.3% of all boys and girls aged between 10 and 19 in the European Region are living with a mental health condition. This is 3% more than the global average.
Youth today demand a say in the decisions that affect their health and well-being. You are to be commended for extending an invitation to youth representatives to participate in the discussions and deliberations at this year’s European Regional Committee session. I hope that their voice and presence will grow stronger with every passing year.
Health is, and will always remain, our most precious possession.
WHO is as vital now, as it has ever been.
My heartfelt thanks and warm wishes to WHO and its supporters – 75 years young!