보건복지부 영문홈페이지

Korean Government Delegation to Attend

the 156th Executive Board Meeting

of the World Health Organization

- Key discussions to focus on programme budget, primary healthcare, health and care workforce, mental health, traditional medicine, health emergency response, and pollution and climate change -

The Ministry of Health and Welfare (Minister Cho, KyooHong) and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (Commissioner Jee, YoungMee) announced that the Korean delegation will participate in the 156th Executive Board Meeting of the World Health Organization (WHO), which will be held in Geneva, Switzerland, from February 3 (Monday) to February 11 (Tuesday).

The Executive Board Meeting serves as a forum where 34 WHO Executive Board Members convene to review and exchange views on agenda items in advance of the upcoming World Health Assembly in May. Prior to the Executive Board Meeting, the 41st Programme, Budget, and Administration Committee (PBAC) took place from January 29 (Wednesday) to January 31 (Friday), during which selected administrative matters including budget, organizational structure, and human resources were discussed.

Korea’s delegation to the Executive Board Meeting is led by Vice Minister Park Minsoo, who serves as the Executive Board Member. Additionally, Kim Hyejin, Director-General for Planning and Coordination at MOHW, serves as the head delegate for the Programme, Budget, and Administration Committee as the alternate member. The government delegation also includes officials from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, and advisory experts. During the Meeting, Korea holds bilateral meetings with Executive Board members including Australia and the Maldives, as well as with WHO Assistant Directors-General.

On the first day of the Executive Board Meeting (February 3, Monday), WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus delivered a report summarizing key achievements of the previous year and outlining future challenges. Following the Director-General’s report, Vice Minister Park Minsoo emphasized that 2025 should serve as a turning point toward achieving universal health coverage by 2030. He also urged for stronger cooperation among WHO member states to tackle emerging health challenges, including non-communicable diseases and climate change.

Subsequently, discussions are to be held on the mid-term report on the implementation of the 2024–2025 Programme Budget, the proposed 2026–2027 Programme Budget, and key global health issues including universal health coverage, health emergency, and health promotion. Under Pillar 1 on the universal health coverage, discussions are to cover primary healthcare strengthening, health and care workforce, non-communicable diseases (such as diabetes, oral health, and cervical cancer), mental health and social connection, maternal and child health, traditional medicine strategy, and defeating meningitis. Regarding Pillar 2 on health emergency, WHO report on its work in health emergencies, including the eradication of poliomyelitis and health conditions in conflict-affected regions. Member States also review issues under Pillar 3 on health promotion, discussing the impact of pollution and climate change on humanhealth and exploring mitigation strategies.

Vice Minister Park Minsoo stated, "To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including the universal health coverage by 2030, this year is a critical moment for strengthening the healthcare capacities of each member state and enhancing global cooperation in the health sector." He reaffirmed Korea’s commitment, emphasizing that "Based on the discussions at this Executive Board Meeting, the Korean government will actively fulfill its role and responsibilities as a pivotal country at the upcoming 78th World Health Assembly." ///