The Minister of Health, Family and Welfare, Geela Ali has highlighted that countries require equitable and long-term financial assistance to ensure global public health security, while delivering a statement on behalf of Southeast Asian countries at the World Health Assembly.
The statement, read out at the 79th Session of the World Health Assembly, called for stronger international cooperation amid economic and political instability. It noted that despite these challenges, Southeast Asian countries have achieved strong progress in disease control, emergency preparedness, and digital health.
It further highlighted that the region has implemented effective measures, such as strong anti-tobacco policies targeting youth and progress in eradicating certain diseases. The region serves as an example in improving health outcomes, it said.
According to the statement, Southeast Asian countries have identified three priorities for global health reform: improving countries’ ability to work toward shared goals and use evidence-based decision-making, ensuring fair and sustainable financial assistance for health security, and strengthening international cooperation to address regional and global health challenges. It emphasised that achieving these goals requires strong and effective global health leadership is needed at all levels of the World Health Organisation, with a better understanding of regional contexts.
In conclusion, the statement called on countries to work together through cooperation and shared responsibility to overcome global health challenges and achieve better outcomes worldwide.