GENEVA — Uganda’s Minister of Health, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, chaired a meeting of health ministers from the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in Geneva. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 78th session of the World Health Assembly.
The gathering provided a platform for NAM member states to enhance collaborative efforts and exchange experiences on global health threats, particularly epidemics, within the framework of the World Health Organization (WHO).
The meeting was attended by health ministers, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Executive Director of the South Centre Dr. Carlos Correa, and other senior officials.
In remarks delivered virtually, Hon. Aceng recalled that NAM leaders, during the summit in Kampala in January 2024, expressed concerns about global health threats such as COVID-19, HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, Hepatitis, Ebola, and other communicable diseases. She emphasized the need for stronger cooperation and partnerships to combat these challenges.
Aceng noted the timely nature of the meeting, occurring after experts finalized a draft Pandemic Agreement aimed at strengthening global collaboration on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response. This agreement is set to be considered by ministers at the World Health Assembly. She urged NAM member states to support the adoption of the agreement, stressing that equity must be a fundamental principle to ensure protection for all nations, communities, and individuals, regardless of their location or economic status. She also advocated for a robust and operational Pathogen Access and Benefits Sharing System (PABS) to ensure efficient and equitable resource allocation where it is most needed.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros thanked member states for their support and called for their backing of the Pandemic Agreement, which he described as a crucial international legal instrument to address gaps in global health security exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. He also highlighted the WHO’s financial challenges and requested support for the Programme Budget for the 2026-2027 biennium and new assessed contributions to ensure the organization’s long-term financial sustainability and independence.
Dr. Correa of the South Centre emphasized that for developing countries, which have historically faced structural barriers, technological exclusions, and resource scarcity, the upcoming Assembly should be a moment to assert their rights and priorities. He urged all countries to reaffirm their commitment to a multilateral system governed by the WHO, stating that global public health should not be subject to unilateral decisions or domestic political considerations.
Delegations shared their experiences on significant progress in strengthening their health systems and called on NAM to continue promoting cooperation, the exchange of best practices, and technical and financial support to achieve more equitable, resilient, and sustainable health systems. Uganda was commended for convening the meeting.
The meeting concluded with the adoption of a statement in support of Cuba’s international medical cooperation, recognizing its contribution to global development.
