Distinguished members of the Executive Board, dear colleagues and friends,
I offer my warm congratulations to my brother, Dr Hans Kluge, on his re-election as Regional Director for Europe.
Since he took office in 2020, I have seen how Dr Kluge has devoted himself to serving the people of the European region with vision and determination.
He began his term as Regional Director at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. He has led through the region through that crisis, as well as the mpox global health emergency, the long-running Ukraine conflict, and many other challenges.
Hans, you have earned the confidence and trust of the Member States of the European Region, especially through your initiatives on participatory governance, Member State engagement, mental health, immunization, digital health and behavioural and cultural insights.
I look forward to seeing the fruits of your upcoming agenda, with its focus on national health security, noncommunicable diseases, the climate crisis, and ageing – all of which, of course, align with our global priorities in GPW14.
I thank you for your partnership, friendship and for sharing the wealth of experience you bring.
I look forward to continuing to work closely with you, our regional and country office colleagues, and our Member States, as we implement the GPW14, to jump-start progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, and to continue our Transformation.
Congratulations, Hans my brother, and thank you for your commitment to promote, provide, and protect the health of the people of Europe.
I thank you.