GENEVA — In a comprehensive three-day strategic dialogue, representatives from Belgium and the World Health Organization (WHO) have concluded a thorough review of their longstanding partnership, charting a robust course for future collaboration. The high-level meetings focused intensely on aligning strategic priorities across several critical pillars of international public health, including the pursuit of universal health coverage (UHC), the systematic strengthening of national health systems, and the imperative of ensuring equitable access to essential vaccines, medicines, and advanced health technologies worldwide.
The comprehensive discussions brought together a diverse and high-ranking Belgian delegation alongside key WHO leadership and technical experts. The delegation was spearheaded by His Excellency Christophe Payot, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Belgium to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva. Joining him were prominent representatives from the Belgian federal government, as well as delegates from the regional governments of Flanders and Wallonia, reflecting a unified national commitment to international health development. On the opposing side of the table, the WHO was represented by a robust team of leaders and technical specialists drawn directly from WHO headquarters in Geneva, alongside key representatives from the WHO Regional Office for Africa and the WHO Regional Office for Europe.
Throughout the intensive three-day engagement, the partners navigated a complex agenda designed to address the realities of an evolving global health landscape. Discussions centered on how to seamlessly harmonize WHO’s overarching strategic directions with Belgium’s national development cooperation priorities. Furthermore, the two delegations exchanged vital updates concerning Belgium’s ongoing support for key global health initiatives that had been brought into sharp focus earlier during the Belgian presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2024.
Reflecting on the productive nature of the dialogue, Mr. Koen Van Acoleyen, Minister Counselor at the Permanent Representation of Belgium to the UN, emphasized the value of the partnership during these turbulent global times. "After listening to the leaders and experts of WHO we now better understand how they are navigating these challenging times," remarked Mr. Van Acoleyen. "We are honoured that we can walk this road together."
Accelerating Equitable Access to Vaccines, Medicines and Health Technologies
A central focal point of the strategic dialogue was the ongoing joint effort to accelerate equitable access to life-saving vaccines, medicines, and essential health technologies. The partners dedicated significant time to reviewing the current operational status and the most notable results achieved thus far through the Access to Medicines programme, a critical initiative financed generously by the Belgian government.
To ground the high-level policy discussions in field realities, the WHO presented detailed illustrations of its ongoing work and operational challenges at the country level, drawing specifically on implementation efforts in Senegal. Technical experts from the organization also provided a comprehensive overview of WHO’s overarching policies concerning equitable access and the promotion of local manufacturing capacities for medical products in developing regions.
Both negotiating parties reached a strong consensus regarding the paramount importance of long-term financial and operational sustainability for the Access to Medicines initiative. They acknowledged that effective market-shaping strategies remain an indispensable catalyst for securing enduring success, ensuring that medical innovations not only reach global markets but remain continuously accessible and affordable for vulnerable populations who need them the most.
Health Emergencies and Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response
The dialogue naturally transitioned into the critical domain of health emergencies, reflecting the lessons learned from recent global health crises. Discussions extensively covered the multifaceted role played by the WHO in strengthening the global architecture for health emergency prevention, preparedness, response, and resilience. This included a rigorous exchange on the ongoing negotiations surrounding the international pandemic agreement and the practical implementation of the cross-cutting One Health approach, which recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.
Demonstrating the tangible impact of WHO’s operational capabilities in the field, the delegation was walked through the organization’s crucial emergency response activities currently underway in Gaza. This presentation underscored the immense operational challenges faced by health workers operating in active conflict zones and humanitarian emergencies.
Moreover, the strategic dialogue tackled emerging systemic threats, specifically addressing the rapid acceleration of biological risks and zoonotic diseases. The participants evaluated current engagement strategies led by the WHO, placing a particular emphasis on proactive risk mitigation measures designed to prevent local outbreaks from escalating into international public health emergencies of global concern.
Universal Health Coverage (UHC)
Advancing Universal Health Coverage formed the bedrock of a substantial portion of the three-day agenda. Elaborating on the remarkable progress achieved through the UHC-Partnership, participants conducted a meticulous review of the tangible results delivered by the WHO with Belgian financial and technical support during the 2021–2024 programmatic period, focusing heavily on outcomes realized within Belgium’s designated partner countries.
Looking toward the future, the delegations explored avenues for enhanced collaboration at the decentralized country level. Key topics included the potential for achieving deeper operational alignment between WHO country office programmes and Belgium’s bilateral development cooperation initiatives on the ground. To provide a concrete case study, participants reviewed a summary of ongoing work and operational hurdles encountered in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Additionally, the visiting delegation received a detailed recap of WHO’s strategic policies and programmatic work surrounding mental health integration within the framework of primary health care delivery.
The review extended beyond standard healthcare delivery to encompass progress achieved in other specialized areas of collaboration funded by Belgium, notably the fight against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and the protection of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). Both sides reaffirmed that an unyielding commitment to an evidence-based approach is vital for sustaining progress in these sensitive and demanding fields of public health.
The WHO leadership was quick to express its deep appreciation for Belgium’s steadfast commitment, noting that the multi-level participation of the Belgian federal, Flemish, and Wallonian governments serves as a powerful testament to the country’s holistic approach to international solidarity. "We thank you for your support, honesty, and strong engagement for global health," stated Dr. Catharina Boehme, WHO Assistant Director-General for External Relations and Governing Bodies. "Your efforts in supporting our work in Mozambique and Senegal are clear examples of the crucial work we accomplish together."
Looking into the Future
As the strategic dialogue drew to a close, the partners turned their attention to charting the future architecture of the Belgium-WHO collaboration framework. Discussions mapped out the trajectory for a renewed multi-year agreement, alongside measurable steps toward finalizing a refreshed WHO-Belgium Country Cooperation Strategy.
Both delegations agreed that this enhanced collaboration will serve as a vital instrument for supporting an ambitious global health agenda aligned directly with the WHO’s 14th General Programme of Work (GPW14). A shared vision emerged from the talks: anchoring Universal Health Coverage and robust health systems strengthening at the very heart of the GPW14 ambitions, ensuring they remain the essential scope guiding WHO’s ongoing prioritization exercises.
Reflecting on the profound value of the three-day exchange, Mr. Dirk Brems, Director of Thematic and Multilateral Cooperation at the Directorate-General for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid, offered a concluding perspective on the partnership. "We recognize WHO as a trustworthy partner in global health. We felt proud hearing how crucial our support is to the Organization and how it is having a positive impact at country, regional, and global levels," said Mr. Brems. "It’s important we continue these discussions as we tread uncharted territories, and we look forward to working together for strong and sustained multilateralism."
