Madam Chair,
Honourable Ministers, distinguished delegates,
Director-General Dr Tedros,
WHO colleagues, partners, ladies, and gentlemen.
Today I stand before you as your next Regional Director for the Western Pacific.
I am deeply moved and honoured and I thank you, Member States, the Executive Board for the trust bestowed on me.
As the first Regional Director from the Pacific, the enormity of the task is not lost on me and while this is a moment of pride for our Pacific people, I want to reassure you that I will be a Regional Director for all our members.
We all have stories, and reflecting upon where I came from, I find it such a blessing how I once was a barefoot boy running around the beaches of my small island, and I now stand among giants of public health at the World Health Organization.
This is proof that no one is really left behind, and despite our different stories, we all have something to contribute to our work.
There is a lot to learn. There is a lot to be done. I intend to listen, be counselled, and guided by you. Together, we can make the difference that is needed.
The Western Pacific is one of the most diverse regions in terms of population, land mass and economies. If we look across Asia and the Pacific, the health challenges are primarily the same but different in scale - infectious diseases, noncommunicable diseases, mental health, maternal and child health, malnutrition, access to health care, ageing populations, climate change, and emerging threats.
In recent years, our region accounted for 80 per cent of the total global new displacements related to disasters, becoming the world’s most climate-vulnerable region.
Critically, every person deserves access to basic preventive care.
Challenges like these underscores why we must pursue “Transformational Primary Health Care” and Universal Health Coverage to chart a better course.
In my first 100 days and beyond, that will be key among my six thematic priorities for our Region.
First, promote an integrated approach to health systems development, which uses primary health care to achieve universal health coverage.
Second, accelerate action on climate change and health. In our Region, we feel the threat acutely, and we are prepared to demonstrate leadership.
Third, build on the lessons of the last pandemic before the next one arrives.
Fourth, you have my commitment to work closely with Member States through country visits and, invest time to understand each country’s unique priorities and serve with humility and evidence-based practices.
Fifth, strengthen our way of working. Where needed, focus on reshaping workstreams, change management and ensuring a smooth transition process.
Finally, our staff is the life-force of WHO’s work. It’s time to heal hearts and return to our core values – respect, trust, solidarity, resilience, and a people centered approach. That is why I will put a “Healing Hearts” initiative for staff at the front and center of my first 100 days and beyond.
I would like to acknowledge the contributions of my predecessors, the Acting Regional Director Dr Zsuzsanna Jakab and Regional Directors before her – without the past there is no present or future.
I would also like to acknowledge my beloved family, my wife, Susitina, our daughters Ledywnna, Vika and Esther and our grandson, Keanu who have been my source of strength.
I look forward to working closely with Member States, the Director-General, Dr Tedros and your team, my fellow Regional Directors, and country offices to fulfill the General Programme of Work and ensure that WHO is successful.
Let us work for a world where no barefoot child, looking out at the rising sea, needs to worry about what the future holds for his or her health, or the health of their family.
Malo ‘aupito. I thank you, Madam Chair.