I’m very happy to present the Regional Director’s ‘Awards for Excellence’ for our South-East Asia Region.
First, is the Regional Director’s Individual Award for Excellence, and I am very pleased to award this to Dr Syed Mahfuzul Huq.
Dr Huq is National Professional Officer (Noncommunicable Diseases), in our Country Office in Bangladesh, and has been with WHO since 2008.
He has extensive experience in government health systems at all levels and is highly respected for his deep understanding of health issues.
He plays a key role in improving program quality and serves as the liaison officer between WHO and the Bangladesh government. He is very well-regarded within WHO Bangladesh, particularly for his strong relationships with government counterparts
His skills and judgment are highly valued by senior management, and he is often the "go-to" person for navigating complex issues with government.
He is known for being patient, attentive, and offering sound, adaptable advice. His calm demeanor helps resolve tense situations, and his instructions are clear, concise, and aligned with organizational policies.
He is praised for his professionalism and for contributing to the development of colleagues. We recognize and award his outstanding service and impact, and, on behalf of all our colleagues and our entire organization, congratulations to him.
Second, the Regional Director’s Team Award.
I am pleased to present this to the Health Emergency Information & Risk Assessment team, in the Department of WHO Health Emergencies Programme, at our South-East Asia Regional Office.
The HIM team has made significant contributions to global and Regional health security - through Global Technical Leadership, Strategic Frameworks and Policy Advocacy, Enhanced Public Health Intelligence and a commitment to diversity and gender balance.
The team has developed a risk assessment algorithm, which has been adapted by WHO globally, and is operational in countries such as Indonesia and Thailand.
They have created a Regional Strategic Framework to strengthen surveillance, risk assessment, and field epidemiology, which has been very well received by donors.
With the establishment of 24/7 IHR Duty Officer System, and improved communication with National Focal Points, the HIM team has strengthened event-based surveillance, enabling early detection of public health threats.
My heartiest congratulations to them all.
Finally, I gratitude and thanks to all of my Regional and Country Office colleagues. Their hard work, professionalism and excellence was so evident throughout this year.
Well done to all of you and thank you.