GENEVA The Swiss city of Geneva hosted a significant diplomatic delegation from Somalia, represented by the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Ali Haji Adam, at the 64th Ordinary Session of the Council of Arab Health Ministers. The event took place at the World Health Organization headquarters during the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA79).

The gathering brought together Arab health ministers and senior medical officials from throughout the region, providing Somalia with an important opportunity to coordinate unified regional positions on key health issues, examine approaches to enhancing regional health security, and assess the structural reforms of the World Health Organization and their implications for Arab nations.

Comprehensive discussions involving Somalia’s official delegation focused on developing essential health policies aimed at improving healthcare systems in nations emerging from conflict and adversity. Notable achievements included the approval of the unified Arab Strategy to Promote the Health of Mothers, Children, and Adolescents, and the adoption of the Joint Arab Declaration to be submitted to the World Health Assembly.

During the council’s proceedings, Minister Dr. Ali Haji Adam reiterated Somalia’s consistent position, calling for the strategic implementation of regional bilateral partnerships and promoting the sharing of technical expertise and medical personnel among member states. He stressed that addressing emerging public health threats necessitates a comprehensive “One Health” approach to mitigate environmental and climate-related health risks.

The council’s agenda addressed significant humanitarian and regulatory matters, with Somalia contributing to their development. Among the key items were discussions on the “Arab Day for Humanity Without Burns” initiative, recent activities of the Arab Authority for Blood Transfusion Services, the 2026 Arab Doctor Award, and initial planning for the First Arab-Indian Partnership Conference to be held in Tunisia in 2027.

Somalia joined other participating ministers in calling for accelerated collective efforts to ensure fair access to primary healthcare. She emphasized the importance of strengthening Arab healthcare systems against health emergencies through implementation of International Health Regulations and utilization of the Arab Fund for Health Development to fund essential collaborative initiatives.

This high-level participation demonstrates Somalia’s persistent dedication to advancing collaborative Arab health initiatives. It reveals her resolve to develop a robust national healthcare framework capable of addressing modern challenges through established regional and international cooperation mechanisms to transform global health governance.

The strategic involvement of Somalia’s Ministry of Health at the Arab Ministerial Health Assembly in Geneva holds significant implications beyond traditional diplomatic partnerships. It represents a fundamental change as Somalia evolves from a beneficiary of emergency medical assistance to an active participant in establishing independent regional health structures. Somalia’s emphasis on maternal and child health strategies, combined with the adoption of the “One Health” approach, showcases progressive governance that acknowledges the critical connection between climate fluctuations and national health security. During the ongoing restructuring of the WHO, a unified Somali-Arab position functions as a crucial instrument to direct global medical investments toward building sustainable healthcare infrastructure in the Horn of Africa, resilient enough to withstand challenges and guarantee universal health coverage.