Geneva, Switzerland — Uganda’s Minister of Health, Hon. Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, chaired a high-level meeting of Health Ministers from the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) on Tuesday, held on the sidelines of the 78th session of the World Health Assembly.
The meeting served as a crucial platform for member states to deepen collaboration and reflect on global health threats, particularly in the context of epidemics and the evolving role of the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The meeting brought together Health Ministers from across the NAM bloc, the Director-General of the WHO, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Executive Director of the South Centre, Dr Carlos Correa, and other senior global health officials.
In her virtual address, Dr. Aceng recalled the resolutions from the January 2024 NAM Summit in Kampala, where leaders voiced serious concern about the rising global threat of epidemics, including COVID-19, HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, hepatitis, and Ebola. She emphasised that these challenges require stronger partnerships, coordinated action, and solidarity among nations.
Dr Aceng highlighted the timeliness of the meeting, coming just after experts completed work on the draft Pandemic Agreement—a proposed global treaty aimed at improving preparedness and response to future health crises. She called on NAM member states to fully support the adoption of the Agreement during the Assembly deliberations, stressing that equity must remain the cornerstone of the treaty.
“It is essential that every country, regardless of size or wealth, has equal access to the tools and resources needed to respond to pandemics. Equity must guide this Agreement,” she said.
She also underscored the need for a robust Pathogen Access and Benefits Sharing (PABS) system to ensure timely and fair distribution of vital health resources, especially during emergencies.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros thanked member states for their continued support and appealed for stronger backing of the Pandemic Agreement, describing it as a “landmark instrument of international law” that could close gaps in global health security exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He also pointed to WHO’s financial constraints and called for support towards the organisation’s 2026–2027 Programme Budget and revised assessed contributions to enhance its independence and sustainability.
Dr Carlos Correa, Executive Director of the South Centre, stressed that for developing nations, which often face systemic inequalities and resource limitations, this year’s Assembly must serve as a defining moment, not just another inflexion point. He urged for a multilateral health governance system free from unilateralism and dominated by global solidarity under the leadership of the WHO.
Country delegations shared success stories and lessons in strengthening their health systems and called for NAM to remain a driver of technical cooperation, resource sharing, and policy exchange, aimed at building resilient and equitable health systems worldwide.
Uganda received commendation for organising and leading the meeting, which concluded with the adoption of a statement in support of Cuba’s international medical cooperation, recognising Havana’s contributions to global health and development efforts. The meeting reaffirmed NAM’s commitment to collective health security, equitable access, and the role of multilateralism in global health governance.
