STATEMENT
79th World Health Assembly
18 - 23 May 2026
Norwegian Ministry of Health and Care Services
Item 11 Recommitting to accelerate progress towards malaria elimination, and item 12.3 Communicable diseases
Norway’s National Statement, delivered by Norway’s youth delegate Uswa Malik.
Thank you chair,
Norway supports the IA2030 recommendations and stands by its goals, while recognising the need to adapt to current realities.
The recent contraction in development assistance has created concrete programme gaps that cannot be absorbed without consequence.
Reducing the number of zero-dose children must remain a priority. These children often live in conflict-affected areas, remote communities, and settings where health systems are weakest.
Tuberculosis is still one of the deadliest communicable diseases globally. We support the Executive Board’s proposal to develop a WHO post‑2030 tuberculosis strategy. Human rights and inclusion must continue to be at the core of the TB response.
Reaching the IA 2030 targets requires integration of immunization into primary health care and national financing systems, with partner investments aligned to country priorities.
Norway also draws attention to vaccine hesitancy as a distinct and growing challenge. In settings where access is not the constraint, misinformation is still driving a decline in uptake.
Strengthening community trust and investing in health literacy must be treated as core components of national immunization programmes. WHO's convening role in supporting member states toward this integration is valued and important.
Norway remains committed to IA2030 and to those that are yet to benefit from it.