President of the Republic of Maldives His Excellency Dr Mohamed Muizzu
First Lady Her Excellency Madam Sajidha Mohamed
Honorable Minister of Health Mr Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim
Cabinet Ministers
Members of the Diplomatic Core
Representatives of UN Agencies
Senior Officials from Ministry of Health
Excellencies
Ladies and gentlemen
A good evening to you all.
In April 1945, the nations of the world gathered in San Fransico to form the United Nations. At that meeting, two countries first proposed the establishment of a specialized international health organization.
The following year, the constitution of the new organization was drafted and adopted in New York.
It was signed by 61 nations - at a time when the UN itself had 51 members.
Two years later, on 7 April 1948, the World Health Organization was born when this constitution came into force – a day we since mark as World Health Day.
These were the beginnings of our WHO, born from the hopes of healthier futures for generations to come.
77 years later, we mark World Health Day – appropriately with the theme “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures.”
Our health begins before birth. It is a multigenerational inheritance, bequeathed by our grandparents, to our parents, to us. This means that when we improve the health of our people today, the effects will be ripple across time and be felt by generations yet to be born.
"Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures" is our first World Health Day theme dedicated to maternal health after 26 years. (Some you may recall that in 1999, this Day was dedicated to "Safe Motherhood.")
In the years since, the world – and our region specifically – has made excellent progress. And I am pleased and proud to say, so too has the Maldives.
In 2019, the Maldives became the second country in the WHO South-East Asia Region, and only the 12th globally, to be certified for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis.
The country has successfully achieved the national target for the stillbirth rate set under the ‘Every Newborn Action Plan.’
In 2024, the Maldives was recognized by WHO for achieving the SDG targets for under-five and neonatal mortality rates—well ahead of the 2030 deadline.
In 2024, the Maldives achieved the Hepatitis B control targets set by WHO, and has already started the journey to triple elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B.
And, as of 2025, the Maldives is among the countries with the lowest maternal mortality ratio and neonatal mortality ratio in our South-East Asia Region.
These achievements reflect not just your strong health policies. They also show us the dedication of generations of health workers in the Maldives. They also show the active engagement of the Maldivian people in seeking care, nurturing their children, and supporting one another.
I would also like to acknowledge and appreciate your exemplary immunization program. This has ensured that children are protected from vaccine-preventable diseases, laying the foundations for a healthy life. Your commitment to providing comprehensive care across the life course is a powerful example for our entire region.
Even as we celebrate these achievements, we recognize the need to address the broader determinants of health that impact mothers, children, and families.
Tobacco use is one such determinant, and I applaud the historic step taken by the Government of Maldives to ratify of the Second Amendment to the Tobacco Control Act, which introduces a landmark generational ban on tobacco.
This is a brave and bold step that will protect future generations for decades to come and is an essential milestone on the path to a Tobacco and Nicotine-Free Maldives by 2035.
I am pleased to see that you haven’t stopped there. You have also significantly increased tobacco taxes, and banned the import, sale, and use of e-cigarettes and vaping devices.
Taken together, these comprehensive actions show the world your firm dedication to protecting your people from the devastating harms of tobacco and nicotine.
Against this backdrop, it is a proud moment that His Excellency President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has been globally recognized with the prestigious WHO World No Tobacco Day Award 2025.
Your Excellency President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu,
This award is a rightful acknowledgment of your superb leadership. It is a moment of pride not just for your country, but for our entire region. You have set an example for us all with your commitment to a healthier, smoke-free future. You have shown our region that it possible to fashion a safer future for children, free from the devastating harms of tobacco.
Ladies and gentlemen,
I have spoken to you about ‘healthy beginnings,’ both at the start of life - and also the beginning of our WHO.
Let us now consider ‘hopeful futures.’
The WHO Country Cooperation Strategy for Maldives 2024–2029 is our shared roadmap for action. It guides the collaboration between WHO and the Government of the Maldives to address emerging health priorities and to strengthen the resilience of the health system.
This work is aligned with our ‘Regional Roadmap for Health System Resilience.’ This Regional Roadmap was co-created by our leadership in the WHO South-East Asia Regional Office, and by our Member States. This strategic framework will enable us to together build stronger and more equitable health systems that deliver high-quality, people-centered care for all.
As I look to the future, I would like to extend my gratitude and thanks to His Excellency President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, and the Honorable Minister of Health Mr Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim.
Your leadership and commitment to public health, your vision and dedication, inspires our region to reach higher in our quest to improve the health of our people.
Ladies and gentlemen,
As we mark World Health Day 2025 at this wonderful event today, we also mark 60 years of partnership between WHO and the Government of the Maldives.
This year, the world also celebrates the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, and here in Male we note the 60th anniversary of the UN presence in the Maldives.
WHO was the very first UN agency established in the country and has been privileged to work alongside the Government and the people of Maldives for over six decades.
At a time when multilateralism is under strain around the world, it is important for us to acknowledge today the importance of these international forums and platforms.
I trust you will agree with me that our world is better off for having the UN and WHO, and our futures are brighter when we deepen the brotherhood and sisterhood between the nations of the world.
I congratulate the people and the government of the Maldives for all you have achieved in these years.
My congratulations also to all my colleagues at the WHO Maldives Country Office, and my colleagues at the Regional Office, for being such excellent partners in this journey.
And to all my brothers and sisters from our broader UN family – thank you for 80 years of service to humanity.
I look forward to all that we will continue to do together, for healthy beginnings and hopeful futures for everyone in the Maldives, across South-East Asia, and the world.
Thank you.