The Commonwealth Secretaria and the World Health Organisation (WHO) on February 7 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) committing to strengthening their collaboration on a broad range of public health issues.
The MoU deals with issues of particular concern to Commonwealth member states and governments, such as the response to the Covid-19 pandemic, vaccine equity, advancing universal health coverage, and building resilient health systems. It was signed at a ceremony held at the WHO Headquarters in Geneva by Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Patricia Scotland and WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The two parties agreed to work together and strengthen the exchange of information on seven priority areas: promoting universal health coverage and primary healthcare; strengthening global health security; promoting healthy environments; promoting the health of vulnerable groups; transforming lifelong learning for health impact; building a data partnership and creating space for innovation and exchange of knowledge.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Scotland said: “Equitable access to vaccines is the world’s most pressing political, economic, social, and moral priority. Without effective and prompt action on vaccines, we face a never-ending global health crisis that will reduce all of our wealth and security. And the most effective way for the world to tackle this and other challenges that we face, whether Covid-19, climate change, or universal health coverage, is by working through multilateral institutions such as the Commonwealth Secretariat and the World Health Organisation.”
Dr. Tedros said: “Partnership is essential in ensuring all people can achieve the highest level of health possible. The new agreement between the World Health Organisation and the Commonwealth Secretariat reects the importance of collaboration to promote and protect people’s well-being.
