Delivered by Ms Cathrine M. Lofthus, Secretary General, Ministry of Health and Care Services. Check against delivery.
President, Director General, Excellencies, Colleagues,
- (First let me thank the Director General and WHO staff for your tireless efforts to promote, provide and protect health for all.)
- Colleagues,
- The world’s eyes are upon this Health Assembly. It is our joint responsibility to find common and more equitable solutions to the shared risk of devastating pandemics.
- Significant progress has been made. Important commitments are within reach. But there are still substantive differences that need to be overcome.
- We must agree on an orderly process towards a successful finalization of the pandemic agreement and the targeted amendments of the International Health Regulations (IHR).
- This assembly will also adopt the new general program of work that clearly puts WHO at the centre of global health architecture.
- A strong and effective WHO requires trust, accountability, transparency – and sustainable financing. As an incoming board-member, we will work to this end. Norway also remains strongly committed to the success of the Investment Round and to finalize the increase of the assessed contributions.
- WHOs work is increasingly challenged by external threats, such as climate change, antimicrobial resistance, and a growing number of crises and emergencies.
- Norway acknowledges the important role WHO plays responding to health needs in complex and challenging humanitarian crises.
- The war in Gaza has led to tremendous destruction, suffering and death. We have been witnessing a rapidly collapsing health system, attacks on health facilities and medical personnel.
- We have repeatedly called for ceasefire and for the parties to comply with international humanitarian law, protecting civilians, humanitarian personnel, health workers and health facilities.
- We underline the extreme urgency of providing safe space and adequate medical supplies and healthcare.
- Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues with grave consequences for the health of Ukrainian citizens and civilian infrastructure, including health facilities.
- Norway condemns Russia’s aggression against Ukraine in the strongest terms.
- Dear colleagues, the right to health cannot be achieved without universal health coverage - underpinned by accessible, robust, and sustainably financed health systems - with a focus on primary health care.
- Ensuring access to preventative and integrated services, including sexual and reproductive health and rights, is essential.
- Investing in health is investing in our women, our children, our societies, and our common future.
- Making this investment is our responsibility as political leaders -
only then can achieve “All for Health and Health for All”. - Thank you.