Geneva: AbdulRahman Bin Mohamed Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, delivered the unified statement of the Council of Arab Health Ministers before the 78th session of the World Health Assembly in Geneva. The minister led the UAE delegation to the Assembly, in the presence of Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and President of the Assembly, along with heads and members of delegations from member states.
According to Emirates News Agency, the UAE’s participation in this meeting aligns with the leadership’s directives to enhance the country’s role in the health sector regionally and globally. This involvement reaffirms the UAE’s commitment to supporting international efforts to enhance healthcare services worldwide. It also aligns with the UAE’s strategy for active participation in international forums, aiming to stay informed of global healthcare developments, share experiences, and contribute to advancing health systems locally and internationally. This supports the UAE’s goals for a sustainable healthcare system that meets societal needs and aligns with its vision for the next fifty years.
In his speech, the minister expressed gratitude to the WHO for its efforts to improve public health and achieve sustainable development goals. He affirmed the Arab Health Ministers Council’s support for global health cooperation and praised WHO regional offices for assisting Arab countries in pursuing a better health future.
Al Owais addressed health situations in Gaza, Sudan, Yemen, and the occupied Syrian Golan, emphasizing the need for intensified international efforts and global solidarity to address the health challenges in these regions.
He highlighted the Council’s commendation of the Jeddah Declaration issued at the 4th Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance, as well as recommendations from the Arab Forum for the Development of the Pharmaceutical and Vaccine Industry, hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain in May 2025.
The minister noted the UAE’s leadership and readiness in health sector adaptability, rapid decision-making, and foresight. He showcased the UAE’s comprehensive and sustainable health system that aligns with global standards, utilizing digital technologies and forward-looking strategies in line with the UAE Centennial 2071 vision.
Al Owais explained the UAE’s focus on the health sector, developing a roadmap to build a leading health system based on innovative solutions and enhanced sectoral capabilities. He confirmed the UAE’s success in establishing an integrated healthcare system that meets global standards and referred to an agreement between the UAE and WHO to establish a global logistics centre for emergency services. This initiative responds to increasing global health emergency demands and reflects the UAE’s belief in health as a fundamental human right.
On the sidelines of the Assembly, Arab health ministers held a meeting attended by Al Owais to discuss shared health concerns. The meeting stressed the importance of continued Arab coordination in the health sector, strengthening joint relations to improve healthcare system performance, enhancing access to health services, and employing emerging technologies for the benefit of Arab communities.