Your Excellencies,

Regional Director, Dr Hanan Balkhy

Distinguished guests,

Assalamu Alaikum, Good morning,

It is with profound gratitude and a deep sense of responsibility that I stand before you today as the Federal Minister of Health of our beloved nation, Somalia, and as Chair of the seventieth session of the Regional Committee held last year in Cairo. In conducting this role, I have consistently reminded myself that our journey towards a healthier, more resilient region is not just a professional duty, but a personal commitment to each of us as Minister of Health.

Before I proceed, let us reflect on yesterday’s inspiring “Walk the Talk” event, a testament to Qatar’s dedication to the connection between health and sports. It was a powerful reminder of physical activity’s role in promoting well-being and preventing non-communicable diseases.

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

This year, our Regional Committee is meeting under the shadow of escalating war perpetrated by Israel which has claimed and maimed tens of thousands of innocent civilians, the majority of whom are women and children, not to mention the huge destruction of properties including health facilities, electricity’s, water sources and sewerage systems. The wanton attack on health facilities and the killing of hundreds of health workers are clear violations of Humanitarian Law, the Geneva Convention, and WHO resolutions. We condemn such a blatant violation of international law and call upon the international community to work for an unconditional ceasefire and peaceful resolution of the long-standing issue of the State of Palestine.

The recent escalation of violence in Lebanon, as well as the ongoing crises in Sudan, and elsewhere, is a sober reminder that our public health work is ever necessary. We must continue to innovate, invest in our healthcare infrastructure, and ensure that every human, regardless of their location or circumstance, has access to quality healthcare. This is not just a goal; it is our solemn promise.

In the face of such adversities, we have seen the incredible strength of our healthcare workers, the resilience of our communities, and the steadfast support of our the countries of our region and international partners in Gaza, Palestine, and other countries in our region.

We gather here today, not only to discuss the challenges we face but to celebrate our progress and to reaffirm our unwavering dedication to the health and well-being of our people. Our Region has endured hardships, but we have grown stronger, driven by our collective spirit and determination to overcome adversities.

Together, we have made significant strides in improving healthcare access, combating diseases, and promoting health education.

Ladies and gentlemen, as you will recall, Somalia represented the countries in our Region in the negotiation and the successful adoption of the resolution to accelerate progress toward reducing maternal, newborn, and child mortality (SDG 3.1 and 3.2) at the 77th World Health Assembly in May. We aimed to draw attention to the preventable deaths and galvanize international solidarity for technical and financial support to implement the resolution, WHA 77.5.

Six countries are not on track to meet the SDG targets for maternal and child mortality, while several others struggle to maintain previous gains amid major challenges, including emergencies. We call upon WHO to continue supporting this key global health initiative. As a Region, we need commitment, domestic investment, and partnerships that are focused on scaling up evidence-based and cost-effective interventions.

Additionally, the Flagship Initiatives presented by the Regional Director in Geneva in May focused on equitable access to medical products, a resilient health workforce, and public health action on substance use hold tremendous potential to build systems that safeguard the health and well-being of our populations, as well as to leverage our public health capabilities and harness the power of solidarity and collaboration.

As we move forward, let us unite in our commitment to health, working together to build a healthier future for our region.

Thank you.