Excellencies, distinguished representatives,
Good morning, and my best wishes to you all for a happy, safe, and healthy 2026.
Welcome to this virtual Technical Briefing on matters to be discussed at the forthcoming 158th Session of the WHO Executive Board and the 43rd Meeting of the Programme Budget and Administration Committee of the Executive Board (PBAC).
The Executive Board is composed of 34 individuals, each designated by a Member State. Its main functions are to give effect to the decisions and policies of the World Health Assembly, to advise the Assembly, and to facilitate its work.
The Board meets twice each year – once early in the year, as is the case now, and a second, shorter session following the World Health Assembly in May or June.
Our Region is currently represented on the Executive Board by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Nepal, and Thailand. I am pleased to note that the Distinguished Representative from Thailand, Dr Pongsadhorn Pokpermdee, serves as one of the four Vice-Chairs of the Board.
The 158th Session of the Executive Board will be held from Monday, 2 February to Saturday, 7 February 2026. Prior to this, the 43rd Meeting of the Programme Budget and Administration Committee will take place from Wednesday, 28 January to Friday, 30 January 2026.
The PBAC reviews matters related to programme planning, monitoring and evaluation, as well as financial and administrative issues, and makes recommendations to the Executive Board. It also acts on behalf of the Board to examine financial reports and statements and submits recommendations to the World Health Assembly.
At present, Nepal and Thailand are the two PBAC members from our Region.
Registration for EB158 and PBAC43 opened on 22 December 2025, and I trust that all Member States in our Region have registered or are in the process of doing so.
Excellencies, distinguished representatives,
The year 2025 was marked by significant public health achievements, breakthroughs, and challenges. Together, we delivered remarkable results that contributed to historic advances in global public health, including:
The achievement of triple elimination of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B, HIV, and syphilis in Maldives, the first country globally to accomplish this;
Rubella elimination in Nepal; and
Malaria elimination in Timor-Leste.
WHO’s flagship World Health Day campaign, “Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures,” called on governments and the global health community to intensify efforts to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths and to prioritize women’s long-term health and well-being.
The Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034, endorsed by the World Health Assembly, aims to establish a strong evidence base for the safety, quality, and effectiveness of traditional medicine and to support its appropriate integration into health systems.
The Second Global Summit on Traditional Medicine, organized in collaboration with the Government of India, brought together ancient wisdom with the latest evidence and innovations to advance safer, smarter, and more sustainable health solutions.
Other major global achievements in 2025 included:
The adoption of the WHO Pandemic Agreement;
The entry into force of the amended International Health Regulations;
Disease elimination in multiple countries;
Agreement on a new United Nations political declaration on NCDs and mental health;
Issuance of new guidance on GLP-1 medicines for obesity and injectable lenacapavir for HIV prevention;
Support to countries to mobilize financing for health; and
WHO’s response to numerous health emergencies, alongside the continued expansion of access to life-saving vaccines.
These achievements reflect immense effort over many years and represent shared victories for Member States, partners, donors, and global public health as a whole.
For WHO, our Country Offices continue to remain central to aligning our work across the three levels of the Organization. In 2025, WHO further strengthened Country Office capacities, reinforcing our commitment to delivering tailored, country-level solutions.
We extend our sincere appreciation to all partners and donors who supported WHO’s work during the year, with gratitude to those providing fully flexible contributions, which are essential to maintaining a strong, independent Organization.
I would also like to express our deep admiration and thanks to health workers and car givers everywhere.
Excellencies and distinguished representatives,
As you are aware, funding cuts in 2025 severely disrupted essential health services across the globe. The significant reduction in flexible funding compelled us to make difficult decisions, including parting ways with many valued colleagues who contributed immensely to WHO’s mission.
Yet, these challenges underscore the continued and growing need for a multilateral, evidence-based organization dedicated to protecting and promoting health for all. WHO is working diligently to ensure that it is fit for the future, learning from experience and strengthening our financing reform efforts.
As WHO enters 2026 under its Fourteenth General Programme of Work, we remain firmly committed to the vision set out in 1948: the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental right of every human being.
I look forward to continued collaboration with our Member States to reinforce WHO’s role and impact in this Region, in line with the Organization’s values and mandate.
Together, through science, solutions, and solidarity, we can build a healthier, safer, and more hopeful future for all.
Excellencies, distinguished representatives,
I now turn to the Technical Briefing.
Member States have proposed a number of resolutions and decisions under various agenda items for consideration at EB158. The Secretariat has worked closely with the proposing Member States to schedule informal consultations.
The calendar of these consultations is available on the WHO website and is updated regularly. Member States are encouraged to review the calendar and participate, as appropriate. Invitations for the informal sessions are issued by the Member States leading each consultation.
Over the next two days, this Technical Briefing will cover selected agenda items to be considered by the Executive Board 158 and PBAC 43. The Secretariat will provide overviews of agenda items of particularly the ones with regional relevance.
In addition, the Regional Office has prepared briefing papers on all other agenda items. Should any additional topics be of interest, please let us know, and we will be pleased to provide further information.
We are also in the process of securing a meeting room in Geneva, which will be made available should Member States wish to meet and deliberate. Any further developments following this Technical Briefing will be communicated to you in Geneva.
Background papers for most agenda items are already available on WHO’s Governing Bodies webpage, with the remaining documents to be posted shortly.
To make the best use of our time, the Secretariat will now proceed with brief presentations on the selected agenda items. We welcome your comments, questions, and inputs on any issue you wish to raise.
Your deliberations are vital to the work of the Executive Board and PBAC, and the Secretariat stands ready to provide clarification or additional information as needed.
Thank you.