RIYADH — The inaugural strategic dialogue between Saudi Arabia and World Health Organization (WHO) delved into Saudi policies to enhance healthcare efficiency, digital health accessibility, and road traffic safety. Saudi Minister of Health Minister Fahd Al-Jalajel and WHO Director General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus led the dialogue session held via video conference from Riyadh. Dr. Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, also attended the two-day session that concluded on Wednesday. Senior officials from the Ministry of Health, relevant Saudi authorities, and WHO representatives engaged in discussions. The talks underscored a mutual commitment to fortifying health cooperation, fostering joint initiatives, supporting global health endeavors, and jointly addressing health crises. Key topics included historical partnerships, regional and international health concerns, healthcare investments, the economy, and scientific research. Deliberations also revolved around the Kingdom's Health Sector Transformation Program, which focuses on improving care, preventing health risks, and bolstering public health efforts. In his speech, Al-Jalajel highlighted the robust strategic partnership evolving since the Kingdom joined WHO in 1961. Discussions centered on achieving broader global health collaboration, encompassing health emergencies, antimicrobial resistance, data management, and digital health innovations. The Investment Round was implemented by WHO to address critical challenges in global health, "a new approach to mobilizing predictable and flexible resources for its core work over the next four years from 2025 and 2028," according to WHO official website. Dr. Tedros said: "As the only G20 country and WHO thematic core funder in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, the Kingdom can play a key role in advocating for health and the Investment Round in the region and beyond, and at the G20 on behalf of the region." He emphasized the dialogue's significance in aligning priorities with WHO's global health strategy for 2025-2028 and the 14th General Program of Work.
