Health

World Health Organization (WHO) 

The World Health Organization (WHO), https://www.who.int/ established in 1948, is the leading UN agency for global public health. Its mission is to promote health, prevent and control diseases, and support countries in health policy and system development. WHO works with governments to improve national health programs and provides guidelines, technology, and standards to address both communicable and non-communicable diseases.

WHO's main governing bodies are:
•    The World Health Assembly (WHA) (https://www.who.int/about/governance/world-health-assembly ), its top decision-making body;
•    The Executive Board (https://www.who.int/about/governance/executive-board), which implements WHA decisions;
•    The Secretariat, led by the Director-General. 

The current Director general is Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, re-elected in 2022.During his tenure, he has faced critical health challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing global health crises.

The organization has six regional offices and several affiliated bodies, including UNAIDS, TDR, and WHO FCTC. WHO is funded approximately 20% by member states contributions and 80% by private donors.

WHO plays a central role in managing global health emergencies — including the COVID-19 pandemic, wars, and natural disasters — and leads programs on vaccination, disease prevention, and healthcare system strengthening. Its work also addresses broader issues such as climate change, women's health, refugee hygiene, road safety, food safety, and access to medicines.

Greece actively engages in WHO governance through its Permanent Mission and the Ministry of Health, focusing on health security, universal healthcare, and international cooperation. Greece has also participated in key negotiations, including the recent amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR), finalized in May 2024, and the conclusion of the Pandemic Agreement, adopted by the WHA in May 2025. Both initiatives aim to enhance global preparedness, transparency, and equitable access to health resources, drawing on lessons learned from the COVID-19 crisis.