Geneva, Switzerland: The United Arab Emirates concluded its participation in the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA79) in Geneva, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening resilient, sustainable and future-ready healthcare systems through prevention, preparedness, innovation and international cooperation.
During the Assembly, Her Excellency Dr. Maha Barakat, Assistant Minister for Health and Life Sciences, delivered the UAE’s statement, emphasizing that growing geopolitical challenges, conflicts, displacement, and subsequent risks are placing additional strain on health systems globally, making resilience “no longer optional, but foundational.”
H.E. Dr. Barakat also highlighted the dangerous public health implications resulting from Iran’s terrorist attacks against the UAE and neighboring countries, which deliberately targeted civilians and civilian infrastructure in a blatant violation of international law. Her Excellency noted that these attacks have resulted in loss of life, injuries, and extensive material damage, disrupting essential services across the region. They also impacted health infrastructure, water production systems, transport, logistic networks, and global health supply chains.
Despite ongoing regional escalation, Her Excellency stressed that the UAE, through the WHO Logistics Hub in Dubai, has continued supporting and facilitating the uninterrupted delivery of medical supplies across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
Her Excellency expressed her appreciation to the WHO Director-General for clearly condemning the attacks against the UAE. Her Excellency further reiterated that this WHA must send a clear message: attacks that endanger civilian lives, public health, and essential infrastructure cannot be justified under any circumstances.
The UAE delegation participated in plenary sessions, technical discussions, bilateral meetings, and international engagements focused on strengthening international health cooperation and advancing more resilient, sustainable, and future-ready healthcare systems.
The delegation also engaged in bilateral meetings with ministers, international organizations, and global health leaders to exchange expertise and explore opportunities for collaboration across preventive healthcare, digital health, health innovation, aging, emergency preparedness, and sustainable healthcare systems.
In addition, the UAE organized a side event entitled “From Awareness to Action: Advancing Global Best Practices in Organ Donation and Transplantation,” highlighting international best practices in organ donation and transplantation and showcasing the UAE’s Hayat program as a national model supporting ethical, equitable, and sustainable transplantation systems.
During the Assembly, the UAE delegation also participated in the official WHO Public Health Prizes and Awards Ceremony, where the UAE Health Foundation Prize was presented to Dr. Worawit Tontiwattanasap of Thailand in recognition of his outstanding contributions to health development.
The UAE’s participation at the events of WHA79 reflects the country’s growing role as an active contributor to global health dialogue and its commitment to advancing international partnerships, and developing integrated healthcare systems centered on resilience, prevention, innovation and sustainability.
