Belgium and WHO Strengthen Partnership for Global Health and Universal Health Coverage

Belgium and the World Health Organization concluded a three-day strategic dialogue in Geneva on March 5, 2025, mapping out shared priorities for universal health coverage, health systems strengthening, and equitable access to medical countermeasures. Ambassador Christophe Payot, Permanent Representative of Belgium to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva, led the Belgian delegation alongside officials from the Federal government as well as the Flemish and Walloon governments, meeting with WHO leadership, including Dr. Catharina Boehme, Assistant Director-General for External Relations and Governing Bodies.

Key Clinical Takeaways:

• Strategic Alignment: Belgium and the WHO reviewed multi-year cooperation frameworks to synchronize WHO strategic directions with Belgian development priorities under the WHO 14th General Programme of Work (GPW14).
• Access to Medicines: Partners evaluated country-level implementation in Senegal, emphasizing sustainable market shaping for essential medical technologies and therapeutics.
• Health Security & Emergencies: Discussions addressed pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response agreements, alongside emergency field operations in Gaza and mitigation of biological risks and zoonoses.

Evaluating Global Health Architecture and Emergency Preparedness

The strategic talks focused heavily on global health security, building on insights shared by WHO leadership regarding current operational challenges. According to the WHO, delegates reviewed ongoing negotiations for a global pandemic agreement and the implementation of a cross-sectoral One Health approach to combat zoonotic spillover and biological risks.

“After listening to the leaders and experts of WHO we now better understand how they are navigating these challenging times,” said Mr. Koen Van Acoleyen, Minister Counselor at the Permanent Representation of Belgium to the UN, via statements released following the dialogue. “We are honoured that we can walk this road together.”

Advancing Universal Health Coverage and Primary Care Delivery

Reviewing implementation data from 2021 through 2024, the delegations assessed the impact of the UHC-Partnership across Belgium’s bilateral partner countries, focusing particularly on clinical challenges documented in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The discussions highlighted the integration of mental health services into primary healthcare frameworks, alongside evidence-based interventions targeting neglected tropical diseases and sexual and reproductive health and rights.

“We thank you for your support, honesty, and strong engagement for global health,” stated Dr. Catharina Boehme, Assistant Director-General for External Relations and Governing Bodies at the WHO, highlighting collaborative achievements in Mozambique and Senegal. “Your efforts in supporting our work… are clear examples of the crucial work we accomplish together.”

Securing Sustainable Access to Essential Medicines

A core component of the dialogue examined the performance of the Access to Medicines programme, funded by Belgium. Representatives analyzed country-level data from Senegal to measure the efficacy of local production initiatives and market-shaping strategies designed to lower financial barriers to essential therapeutics. Both delegations underscored the necessity of evidence-based policymaking to ensure the long-term viability of supply chains for critical health technologies.

“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,” noted Mr. Dirk Brems, Director of Thematic and Multilateral Cooperation at the Directorate-General Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid. “It’s important we continue these discussions as we tread uncharted territories, and we look forward to working together for strong and sustained multilateralism.”

As international partnerships look toward a renewed WHO-Belgium Country Cooperation Strategy, sustaining multilateral engagement remains vital for addressing structural healthcare deficits.