Your Excellency Chair,
Excellencies Ministers, dear colleagues and friends,
First, I offer my warm congratulations to Saima Wazed on her election as Regional Director for South-East Asia, and also to Bangladesh.
I think this is the first time in WHO’s history that the baton is being transferred from a female to another female. I hope it will repeat in other regions and in HQ.
Of course, it’s big shoes to fill, as Saima herself admitted, and you have witnessed Poonam’s leadership.
I also congratulate Dr Shambhu Prasad Acharya on your campaign, and I thank you for putting yourself forward for this very demanding but very important position.
Saima, you have earned the confidence and trust of the Member States of the region. This is a great privilege, and a very great responsibility.
You are entrusted with guiding the health systems of 11 countries comprising nearly two billion people. When you say 11 countries it seems small, but it’s nearly two billion people.
The region is extremely diverse, with a huge range of cultures, languages, landscapes, and income levels.
From Himalayan kingdom to island nations;
From the Gulf of Thailand to the Bay of Bengal;
From huge cities to remote villages;
From economies that are thriving to those that are struggling.
Equally, you are faced with a huge range of health challenges, from cardiovascular disease to neglected tropical diseases; from air pollution to the ability to pay for health services; the climate crisis to mental health, and so much more.
I don’t need to remind you of the scale of challenges you face.
Saima, you have not applied for an easy job. But you have applied for one of the most important, and one of the most rewarding – the rewarding I would underline, because that will give you energy.
This role will demand every bit of the technical, managerial and diplomatic skill you have, and more.
But you are not alone. You are supported by a very dedicated and talented team at the Regional Office.
And I assure you of my support and that of my colleagues in Geneva, because it’s one WHO.
You will assume this position at a critical time, as we seek to jump-start progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
So if you serve two terms, you will lead the region to the end of the SDG era, and the beginning of the next era. That seems long, but it passes fast by the way – already six years in this position.
And by the end of your first term, you will be working with a new Director-General.
But in the meantime, you’re stuck with me.
I look forward to working with you. The success of this organization depends on close cooperation, coordination and trust between headquarters, the Regional Offices and country offices.
I am committed to working closely with you, our regional and country office colleagues, and our Member States, to promote, provide, protect, power and perform for the health of South-East Asia.
My sister Poonam, thank you once again for your outstanding leadership and dedication over the past 10 years.
You have guided the Regional Office with a clear mind, a steady hand and a big heart.
I have very much appreciated especially your humility and friendship – a very pleasant person to work with. Since it’s once WHO, always WHO, although you’re retiring from the Regional Director position, I look forward to continuing to work with you in a different capacity, because we need your wisdom and skills.
Once again, Saima, congratulations. You should know that you have my full support and the support of all colleagues. I very much look forward to welcoming you to the Global Policy Group, and to working with you for a healthier, safer, fairer South-East Asia.
So congratulations to both of you, for your excellent leadership, and for the landslide election.
I thank you.