Tehran – A two-day workshop entitled “Advances in Health Diplomacy: Understanding the Role of the World Health Organization in the Global and National Health System” was held in Tehran, assembled by key health leaders and policymakers to deepen their understanding of health diplomacy.
As part of the 4th Health Diplomacy Seminar, Kish Island held an event from May 13th to 14th, highlighting the integrity of WHO’s important role in Global Health Security and the alignment of national priorities with WHO’s global and regional strategies.
The seminar was held by the Iranian Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO) office, the Institute for Health Manager Development, and the Center for Health Diplomatic Research at the University of Medical Sciences of Iran. The multi-stakeholder partnership highlighted a common commitment to strengthening health diplomacy and cooperation within the region.
The event brought together key health leaders and policymakers to deepen our understanding of health diplomacy and contributions to global and national health frameworks. It also highlighted the need for robust collaboration between the WHO and national and sub-state stakeholders.
The 43 attendees included the Prime Minister of the Medical College, the vice-president of public health across the country, and senior managers at the headquarters of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education.
He presented his presentations on the role and governance of the WHO at national, regional and global levels, along with representatives and director of the Islamic Republic of Saeed Jafar Hussein, a Islamic Republic of Iran, along with colleagues from the country office and Kaiser Pasha from the WHO Regional Office in the Eastern Mediterranean region. The discussion focuses on enhancing participants’ understanding of governance structure, function and contribution to global health initiatives, such as universal health coverage and the Health-Related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The UN resident coordinator at Iran Stephen Pleenor provided insight into the structure and global role of the United Nations. His presentation illuminated the broader context of the SDG and highlighted Iran’s progress in achieving these ambitious targets.
The WHO team addressed a variety of topics, including deep diving to SDG 3 (health and happiness), mechanisms of collaboration with WHO and other UN agencies, direct contributions to health-related SDGs, global pandemic strategies and emergency response strategies, and opportunities for the framework of the Parliamentary framework with WHO. The session provided a comprehensive overview of the WHO operational framework and strategic priorities.
At the closing ceremony, Mohammad Reza Zafargundy, Minister of Health and Medicine Education, Iran, stressed the importance of health diplomacy, saying, “Today we hope that this concept will encourage not only the field of human health and health care, but also the promotion of international relations and regional and global cooperation, as well as international engagement in the health sector.”
Zafargundy’s remarks highlighted the Iranian government’s commitment to integrating health considerations into the foreign policy agenda.
Public Health Deputy Minister Alileza Leisi thanked Hussein and the Hu team for their contributions to the workshop. Recognizing the beneficial impact of the seminar, Raeisi expressed his hope for continued workshops and for capacity building and collaborative efforts in the field of health diplomacy.
The fourth Health Diplomacy Seminar identifies key steps to strengthening Iran’s Islamic Republic through strengthening understanding and engagement with global health stakeholders. The insights and connections gained during the workshop are expected to promote health diplomacy and nurture healthy communities nationwide and locally.
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