“The ill health and suffering experienced by the least and the most vulnerable must be felt by and responded to by all in a united, equitable, effective, and mutually accountable manner. As you guide the World Health Organization to the Seventy-seventh World Health Assembly- WHA 77, on behalf of the global constituency of the WCC, I express my deep gratitude for your leadership and wish you God's blessings for the success of this crucial Assembly,” wrote Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary in a message to Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, World Health Organization (WHO) director-general, as the 77th World Health Assembly is took place in Geneva.
The World Council of Churches is an ecumenical partner supported by the Interdenominational Cooperation Fund apportionment, which enables United Methodists to share a presence and a voice in the activities of several national and worldwide ecumenical organizations.
Experts discussed current and future priorities for public health issues of global importance.
The WCC has had 50 years of collaboration with WHO, with their work together involving strategizing, publications, seminars, webinars, and responding to crises such as HIV, the Ebola outbreak, and COVID-19 pandemic.
Held annually, the World Health Assembly is WHO’s decision-making body. It was attended by delegations from all WHO member states and focuses on a specific health agenda prepared by the Executive Board. The main functions of the World Health Assembly are to determine WHO policies, appoint the WHO director-general, supervise financial policies, and review and approve the proposed program budget.
We hope and pray that the pandemic agreement and amendments to the existing 2005 International Health Regulations (IHR) will be agreed upon and will equip the world to respond effectively to emerging global crises. Our member churches and constituencies are in solidarity with WHO as you spearhead the new financing mechanism, the WHO Investment Round, by making funding more predictable and flexible.
The theme of this year’s Health Assembly - All for Health, Health for All, resonates with the values held dearly by and promoted by faith communities.
“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body... there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.” (1 Corinthians 12:12, 25, 27).
May we all be inspired to work unconditionally and collectively for the health of all! The ill health and suffering experienced by the least and the most vulnerable must be felt by and responded to by all in a united, equitable, effective, and mutually accountable manner!
“We share WHO's mission of promoting health, keeping the world safe, and serving the vulnerable. Through these efforts, more people will benefit from universal health coverage, be better protected from health emergencies, and enjoy better health and well-being,” added Pillay.
World Council of Churches website
One of seven apportioned giving opportunities of The United Methodist Church, the Interdenominational Cooperation Fund enables United Methodists to share a presence and a voice in the activities of several national and worldwide ecumenical organizations. Please encourage your leaders and congregations to support the Interdenominational Cooperation Fund apportionment at 100 percent.
