WHA78 Side Event - Global Health Equity

Keynote Address

H.E. Prof. Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar

Deputy Prime Minister for Human Development, Minister of Health and Population, the Arab Republic of Egypt

H.E. Ambassador Luis Chuquihuara Chil

Permanent Representative, the Republic of Peru to the United Nations Office at Geneva

Dr. Santino Severoni

Director, Health and Migration, World Health Organization (WHO) on behalf of the WHO Director-General

Dr. Poonam Dhavan

Director, Migration Health Division, International Organization for Migration (IOM) on behalf of the IOM Director-General

High Level Remarks

H.E. Dr. Jo Etienne Abela, MP

Minister for Health and Active Ageing, Malta

H.E. Dr. Haitham Mohamed Ibrahim

Minister of Health, Sudan

H.E. Dr. Maged Abu Ramadan

Minister of Health, Palestine

H.E. Colonel-Major Dr. Garba Hakimi

Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene, Niger

H.E. Dr. Javier Padilla

State Secretary for Health, Spain

H.E. Ambassador João António da Costa Mira Gomes

Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Portugal

H.E. Archbishop Ettore Balestrero

Permanent Observer to the United Nations, Holy See (Vatican)

H.E. Mr. Budi Gunadi Sadikin

Minister of Health, Indonesia

H.E. Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako

Minister of State, Health & Social Welfare, Nigeria

H.E. Dr. Mustapha Ferjani

Minister of Health, Tunisia

H.E. Mr. Pradip Paudel

Minister of Health and Population, Nepal

H.E. Dr. Salih Al-Hasnawi

Minister of Health, Iraq

H.E. Ambassador Eldiyor Toshmatov

Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Uzbekistan

Mr. Yoshizane Ishii

Deputy Permanent Representative, Japan

Panel Discussion

Dr. Samuel Posikai TAPO

Director of Corporate Services & Policy Planning Unit, Ministry of Health, Vanuatu

Dr. Abdelkarim Meziane Belfkih

Secretary General of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, Morocco

Dr. José Armando Arronte Villamarin

Cuba

Ms. Kit Leung

Senior Migration Health Adviser, IOM

Mr. Daniel Mic

Health and Migration, WHO

Dr. Allen Gidraf Kahindo Maina

Chief, Public Health Section, UNHCR

Dr. Gabriel Fabreau

Associate Professor, University of Calgary

Ms. Caroline Holt

Director for Disasters, Climate and Crises, IFRC

Mr. Cesar Garrido

President, World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH)

Overview

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are responsible for over 70% of global deaths and pose an escalating threat to public health, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The first WHO World report on the health of refugees and migrants highlighted that refugees and migrants are disproportionately affected by NCDs, often facing barriers to prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and continuity of care—barriers intensified by displacement, climate change, and economic instability.

Co-organized by the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Republic of Peru, and the World Health Organization and the International Organization for Migration, this high-level side event, held during the 78th World Health Assembly, will spotlight the urgent need for coordinated global action to prevent and manage NCDs for all, particularly among refugees, migrants, and other displaced populations. As a Champion Country of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM), Egypt's efforts exemplify how inclusive national health initiatives can support equitable access to NCD services for all, including migrants and refugees. The event will bring together state and non-state actors to share successful initiatives and evidence-based strategies for integrated NCD responses, inclusive of refugees and migrants, that ensure no one is left behind.

The event aims to promote global collaboration and advocate for increased technical and financial support to LMICs, with a focus on sustainable service delivery, community engagement, and policy innovation. Additionally, the event will inform future action by supporting the integration of refugee and migrant health into global and national NCD strategies. Importantly, discussions will contribute to the implementation of the WHO Global action plan on promoting the health of refugees and migrants (2019–2030) and reinforce political commitment and shape momentum ahead of the 80th UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting on NCDs.

This event is co-sponsored by: Bahamas, Burundi, Colombia, Cuba, Greece, Iraq, Japan, Malta, Mauritania, Morocco, Nepal, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Oman, Palestine, Portugal, Spain, Sudan, São Tomé et Príncipe, Tunisia, Uzbekistan, and Vanuatu, University of Calgary, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH), NCD Alliance, Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination (CGHE).

Participation information and a detailed meeting agenda will be available soon.

Note: as spots are limited, in-person participation will be confirmed via email after registration. Online participation is open to all.

Please view the draft concept note here