The Sultanate of Oman takes part in the 152^nd session of the Executive Board (EB) of the World Health Organization (WHO), which initiated yesterday (Monday) in Switzerland until 7 of February.

The Sultanate's delegation is headed by H.E. Dr. Hilal bin Ali bin Hilal AL Sabti – Minister of Health.

During the meeting, Oman is participating with several interventions as a State Member of the WHO, as well as a representative of the Eastern Mediterranean Region as a member of the EB.

The meeting reviews the reports of the WHO Director General, the regional committees and the program, budget and management committee of the (EB).

In addition, the meeting touches upon the a number of health issues such as substandard and falsified medical products, draft global strategy on infection prevention and control, and global roadmap on defeating meningitis by 2030.

Moreover, the meeting addresses the public health emergency “response and preparedness”, poliomyelitis, wellbeing and health promotion, ending violence against children by promoting health system and multispectral approaches, social determinants of health, and the highest attainable standard of health for persons with disabilities.

Furthermore, issues related to the budget and financial matters, management and governance, (EB) committees, personnel matters, and report of meetings of expert committees and study groups are highlighting during the meeting.

The WHO celebrated its 75^th anniversary on the sidelines of the meeting.

Oman, together with the Republic of Kenya, was selected among three Member States in the WHO Executive Board to participate in the forward-looking panel discussion on the future of health 25 years from now to keep pace with global and future changes.

The selection of the Sultanate of Oman to participate in this panel discussion is due to its significant role and health achievements during its membership in the WHO Executive Board, such as the adoption of the "Health as a Bridge for Peace" Initiative and supporting the WHO's efforts aimed at achieving international health security.

Oman, amid the presence of the Member States and the WHO Director-General, a representative from the UNDP, and a speaker from Japan, touched upon the health priority in Oman Vision 2040 and Oman's future health plans over the next period.

Moreover, the panel discussion addressed several topics, such as the emerging models of the future of society, including the future of health that Member States, the WHO's support to Member States needs to evolve in light of multidimensional change impacting the future of health, including the increasing importance of well-being and the acceleration of progress in the research ecosystem and access to scientific information and digital health, and the impact of climate change, the food systems, and future pandemics.