DISTINGUISHED GUESTS,
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
Today, 7 April, marks World Health Day.
It celebrates the day, 62 years ago, on which the World Health Organization was founded.
WHO's overarching goal is the attainment by all people of the highest possible level of health.
Sixty-two years ago, the world faced an abundance of health challenges, many of which - such as the eradication of polio - we have addressed successfully.
However, in recent years, new health threats have become more prominent, including HIV/AIDS, air pollution, obesity and tobacco consumption.
These are all issues which concern those of us who live in cities.
In addition, rapid urbanization has led too often to increased poverty and growing health inequities, making the health of people who live in cities one of the greatest health challenges of the 21st century.
In recognition of this, WHO has decided to focus World Health Day this year on urbanization and health - because "urban health matters."
Urban health does matter, and urban health governance matters most especially.
For example, in developing countries, good urban governance can help provide more opportunities for employment, greater access to education and social services, higher socioeconomic development, and better health outcomes - raising life expectancy to 75 years or more.
However, poor urban governance often means insufficient water, sanitation and waste disposal, crowded and congested city streets, large slums, and life expectancy as low as 35 years.
Solutions to these urban problems go beyond the health sector and require the involvement of a multitude of players from the non-health sectors, as well as involvement at the grassroots levels.
On this World Health Day, WHO is calling on a wide range of groups to take a close look at health inequities in cities and to take action.
These groups range from municipal authorities and the private sector, to concerned citizens, nongovernmental organizations and advocates for healthy living.
In the Western Pacific Region over the past 10 years, WHO has promoted the Healthy Cities approach as an effective way to address urban health issues.
Today, we must take bolder steps forward by building on what we have learnt.
Making cities healthier takes time and commitment.
But there are plenty of examples around the world which show that it can be done.
And as we will see this evening, there are plenty of these examples in the Philippines.
Tonight, WHO, other development partners and international guests join the Philippine Department of Health in celebrating World Health Day.
And the best way to do so is by recognizing the dynamic efforts of pioneering cities and institutions in the Philippines which have initiated, intensified and improved programmes and activities to make their cities healthier.
I am hopeful that as a result of their example, other cities and local governments, not only in the Philippines but in the entire Western Pacific Region, will be encouraged to initiate and pursue collaborative efforts to make cities better places to live.
To our Urban Health Champions, I say, “Congratulations" and "Mabuhay”. And to all of you, I wish a happy and healthy World Health Day.
Thank you.