Saudi Arabia and WHO Discuss Regional Health Cooperation in Key Meeting
In a significant step toward greater global health collaboration, Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of Health for Planning and Development, Abdulaziz Al-Rumaih, met with Dr. Hanan Balkhy, the World Health Organization’s Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, in Riyadh this week. This high-level dialogue marks a continued commitment to deepening the strategic partnership between the Kingdom and the WHO, focusing on shared ambitions for regional and global health resilience.
The meeting served as a progress review following the inaugural Saudi Arabia-WHO Strategic Dialogue held in August 2024. Officials discussed the outcomes of that foundational meeting and worked to identify concrete opportunities for enhanced cooperation. The talks centered on aligning efforts to tackle regional and international health priorities and, crucially, on building healthcare systems that are both resilient and sustainable for the long term.
A core theme of the discussion was the critical role of effective international partnerships. Both sides emphasized that collaboration is essential to improving the quality of healthcare services and outcomes, not just within the Kingdom but across the Eastern Mediterranean region.
The meeting also provided a platform to outline Saudi Arabia’s forward-looking health objectives. Central to these is the strategic expansion of health-investment opportunities, a move designed to strengthen the Kingdom’s role on the global health stage. The ambition is clear: to cement Saudi Arabia’s position as a leading international health partner and a proactive contributor to shaping worldwide health policies.
This vision extends into key sectors such as the localization of the pharmaceutical industry and the transfer of advanced health technologies—initiatives that promise to enhance local capabilities while contributing to broader global health security.
Dr. Balkhy’s official visit, concluding Wednesday, underscores the mutual importance attached to this partnership. It reflects a shared understanding that the complex health challenges of today—from pandemic preparedness to equitable healthcare access—require unified action and shared expertise.
As Saudi Arabia continues to advance its health transformation under Vision 2030, collaborations like these with the WHO are pivotal. They represent a move from aspiration to action, ensuring that the Kingdom’s growing capabilities in health planning, innovation, and investment create a positive impact that resonates well beyond its borders, contributing to a healthier, more secure future for all.
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