WHO Executive Board Meeting Concludes with Maldives Health Minister in Chair

The 156th Executive Board Meeting of the World Health Organization (WHO) has concluded, with Maldives represented by Minister of Health Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim, who chaired discussions on behalf of the country.

The WHO Executive Board comprises 34 member states, including Maldives, and the meeting saw significant international health decisions being made. Discussions focused on strengthening global health emergency preparedness and response, expanding universal health coverage to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, addressing the health impacts of climate change, and improving women’s and children’s health. The board also deliberated on enhancing WHO’s effectiveness in delivering assistance to member states.

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A key topic of debate was WHO’s role in providing health services to the Palestinian people. Maldives voted against Israel’s proposals and in favour of Palestinian proposals.

On the sidelines of the meeting, the Maldivian delegation engaged in discussions with Brunei, South Korea, Qatar, and Thailand to explore cooperation in the health sector. Talks covered human resource development, public health protection, and securing support for advancing healthcare services in Maldives. Additionally, negotiations took place on proposed agreements with Thailand and Qatar, focusing on strengthening primary healthcare and securing postgraduate training opportunities for Maldivian healthcare professionals.

Minister Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim also met WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to discuss assistance for Maldives and expressed appreciation for WHO’s ongoing support. The organisation, in turn, recognised the Maldivian government’s efforts in tobacco prevention initiatives.