UAE strengthens global health partnership with WHO

The United Arab Emirates has solidified its commitment to global health by signing a host country agreement with the World Health Organization (WHO). This strategic partnership will strengthen WHO's logistics operations and interventions worldwide.

The signing ceremony, took place in Abu Dhabi, and saw Reem Al Hashimy, the UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, and Dr. Michael Ryan, WHO’s Deputy Director-General and Executive Director of the Health Emergencies Program, formalize the agreements. These include a host country agreement and $3 million funding agreement for Sudanese refugees in Chad.

The UAE has supported WHO since 2015 through the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office Hub in Dubai, which has grown into the WHO Hub for Global Health Emergencies Logistics. The hub has become a critical center for coordinating health responses globally, with the value of WHO health supplies passing through it increasing by 400% in recent years.

Reem Al Hashimy said, “This agreement reflects the UAE’s ongoing commitment to addressing global humanitarian needs, ensuring continued delivery of life-saving assistance in conflict zones and regions impacted by crises, in partnership with others,”

"The UAE is a valuable and strategic partner to WHO and has played an instrumental role in serving vulnerable communities around the world. The signing of the host agreement for the WHO Hub for Global Health Emergencies Logistics is a significant milestone highlighting our joint commitment to address global health challenges" said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO.