Geneva, 9 November 2021 (TDI): The World Health Organization (WHO) and La Francophonie International Organization (OIF) today signed an agreement that provides a political and legal basis for cooperation between the two organizations.
The agreement was signed at WHO headquarters by Louise Mushikiwabo, Secretary-General of La Francophonie, and Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO.
Build on the memorandum of understanding signed by the two organizations in April 2021. Setting out key areas for joint action, including the WHO Academy, advancing universal health care, primary health care, and malaria control.
The agreement now allows the OIF and the WHO to participate collectively in the governing bodies of these two organizations. In accordance with the rules applicable to each other.
This agreement is the next step in strengthening the already close relationship between our two organizations, Dr. Tedros added; “The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of globalization and international cooperation. Francophonie’s commitment to peace, democracy, and human rights makes her an ideal partner for WHO. ”
Ms. Mushikiwabo said: “This agreement will allow the OIF to contribute to WHO in promoting public safety and universal access to public health services for all French-speaking world.
Commenting on the COVID-19 crisis, he added: “We will only be safe from this pandemic when all the countries of the world have vaccinated their people.”
At the time of signing the agreement, Mrs. Mushikiwabo, and Drs. Tedros repeated their call to ensure equitable access to the COVID vaccine and other tools needed to fight the pandemic.
The ambassadors of foreign-speaking countries unanimously welcomed the agreement and strongly supported international efforts led by WHO and the OIF to increase access to vaccines in their countries.
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