Good morning, good afternoon and good evening.
First, some good news: today marks the end of the most recent outbreak of Ebola virus disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
I send my warmest congratulations to the government and people of the DRC, especially in the affected community of Bulape.
The outbreak was declared in September and there were 64 confirmed and probable cases, with 45 deaths.
We honour the memory of those who died, especially those who lost their lives while serving others.
WHO is proud to have played our part in bringing this outbreak under control, in support of the Ministry of Health, national public health institutions, and alongside our partners.
It’s important to remember how far we have come in our fight against Ebola.
When Ebola devastated West Africa a decade ago, there were no approved vaccines or therapeutics against it. Now we have both.
Ebola is a preventable and treatable disease that can be stopped.
And although Ebola has been stopped in DRC, an outbreak of Marburg virus disease was declared in Ethiopia over two weeks ago.
So far, 12 confirmed cases have been reported, including eight deaths. Three patients have recovered, and one is still under treatment.
The government of Ethiopia is leading the response, and WHO is supporting as requested.
We’re providing testing supplies and protective equipment for health workers, and deploying experts to support local authorities.
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Now to Asia, where floods have caused devastation in Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Viet Nam. Other countries in the region are also at risk.
More than 400 people have died in Indonesia, 160 in Thailand, 90 in Viet Nam and 300 in Sri Lanka, with hundreds more missing.
The floods have caused landslides, major damage to critical infrastructure, displacement, and severe disruption to essential services and livelihoods.
WHO is deploying rapid response teams and critical supplies, strengthening disease surveillance and supporting continuity of essential health services for affected communities.
It’s another reminder of how climate change is driving more frequent and more extreme weather events, with disastrous effects.
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Now to our main news of the day.
Obesity is one of the most serious public health challenges of our time.
Globally, more than one billion people are living with obesity, and that number is expected to double by 2030.
Obesity is a chronic, relapsing disease that drives heart disease, diabetes, and some types of cancer.
It is linked with 3.7 million deaths globally a year, and puts huge strain on health systems and economies.
In recent years, a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists – or GLP-1s – which were originally developed to treat diabetes, have been approved in many countries for the treatment of obesity.
In September of this year, WHO added GLP-1 to the Essential Medicines List for the treatment of diabetes in high-risk groups.
Today we are issuing new recommendations on the use of GLP-1 to treat obesity in adults.
These new medicines are a powerful clinical tool, offering hope to millions.
But let me be clear: medication alone will not solve the obesity crisis.
Obesity is a complex disease that requires comprehensive, lifelong care.
And it has many social, commercial and environmental determinants, requiring action in many sectors – not only in the clinic.
This guideline is about integration. These therapies are part of a holistic strategy built on three pillars:
First, creating healthier environments through robust policies;
Second, protecting individuals at high risk through screening and early intervention;
And third, ensuring access to lifelong, person-centred care for those living with obesity.
Crucially, the use of GLP-1 does not replace the need for healthy diet and physical activity.
Our recommendation is conditional, and we acknowledge the challenges: we need more long-term data, the costs are high, and health systems are not yet ready.
Our greatest concern is equitable access.
Without concerted action, these medicines could contribute to widening the gap between the rich and poor, both between and within countries.
We must work together on strategies like pooled procurement and tiered pricing to make these medicines affordable for all.
This guideline is a key part of WHO’s Acceleration Plan to Stop Obesity.
It is built on evidence and shaped by the principle of health for all – ensuring that scientific progress benefits everyone, everywhere.
This guideline has been developed in response to strong demand from Member States and civil society.
So today I am very pleased to welcome three special guests.
First, it’s my privilege to welcome Dr Lackram Bodoe, the Honourable Minister of Health from Trinidad and Tobago.
Minister Bodoe, thank you for making the time to join us today. You have the floor, Your Excellency.
[MINISTER BODOE ADDRESSED THE MEDIA]
Thank you, Minister Bodoe. It’s now my pleasure to welcome Dr Jeanette Hunter, the Deputy Director-General of Primary Health Care at the National Department of Health in South Africa.
Dr Hunter, you have the floor.
[DR HUNTER ADDRESSED THE MEDIA]
Thank you Dr Hunter. I’m now pleased to welcome Dr Karen Sealey, a member of the Board of Trustees of the World Obesity Federation.
Dr Sealey, thank you for joining us today. You have the floor.
[DR SEALEY ADDRESSED THE MEDIA]
Thank you Dr Sealey, and thank you once again to all our guests for joining us today.
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Finally, today is World AIDS Day.
Over almost 45 years, we have come a long way in the response to HIV.
New HIV infections have dropped by 61% since the peak in 1996, and AIDS-related deaths have dropped by 70% since 2004.
HIV has been transformed from a certain death sentence into a preventable and treatable disease.
But those gains are now at risk.
Sharp reductions in international funding this year have led to disruptions in services for HIV prevention, testing and treatment.
At the same time, progress against HIV has largely stalled. There were 1.3 million new HIV infections last year, the same number as the previous two years.
We face significant challenges, but we also have significant opportunities.
Earlier this year, WHO recommended and prequalified lenacapivir, a new long-acting injectable for the prevention of HIV.
This is the first time that guidelines have been published in parallel with prequalification, to accelerate access.
WHO calls on all countries to rapidly scale up use of lenacapivir for people at risk of HIV, as well as access to testing and treatment for those living with HIV but who may not know it yet.
Our ambition is not modest, but it is achievable: to end the AIDS epidemic.
Fadéla, back to you.