Genève
Manuscrit, non publié à l’époque. Seul le prononcé fait foi. Les notes de travail ont été retirées.
Discours prononcé en anglais. Texte original, non traduit.
Mr. President,
Director General,
Excellencies,
Dear Delegates,
Honoured guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is time to celebrate!
It’s time to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the World Health Organization!
As President of the Swiss Confederation, I am delighted to welcome you on behalf of the Swiss people and the Swiss authorities.
Switzerland has the privilege of hosting this unique organization here in Geneva. The World Health Organization and its staff have achieved so much in the last 70 years. They deserve our most sincere respect.
The name the founding countries chose for this organization is telling: it is the « World Health Organization », not the « International Health Organization », or some other. This emphasized from the outset the truly global nature of what the organization was seeking to achieve.
What began with a signature in 1946 has since developed into a deep, productive and highly rewarding partnership.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The world has changed a great deal over the last 70 years. There have been major advances in public health. For example: millions of children have been protected from infectious diseases.
Twenty-five years ago more than twelve million children under the age of five died every year. Today that figure is five and a half million.
That is a huge difference: 20,000 fewer children every day. And it is a huge achievement thanks to the World Health Organization and the joint efforts of many other organizations.
However: 15,000 children under the age of five still die every day. That statistic underscores what we all know: namely, that a great many public health challenges remain and that we need to address them together.
The world has become more complex in those last seventy years. The number of global, regional and local health actors is increasing. The WHO has to co-ordinate its efforts with all of them. The fact that so many of you are gathered here tonight is proof of your support.
Trust is key when dealing with people’s health. The WHO stands for trust. For reliability and quality. And it is the duty of all of us, that this remains so in the future.
« Universal Health Coverage – Health Emergencies – Healthier Populations ». These are the three strategic priorities that you, Director-General, have put at the heart of the WHO’s new Global Program of Work.
This is an ambitious and highly relevant health agenda for the coming years.
Today’s discussions showed that we, the Member States, support you.
My country fully endorses the WHO’s mandate to attain the highest possible level of health for all people. Jointly, through global co-operation, we can achieve this.
Dear guests,
In the early days, the Palais des Nations was temporarily home to the World Health Organization.
This building is a fitting setting to congratulate the WHO, its current leadership and staff on this 70th anniversary.
I wish you a Happy Birthday and a splendid evening!