78th World Health Assembly Kicks Off in Geneva with Morocco's Participation
Held under the theme "A World United for Health," the Assembly brings together senior officials and key stakeholders from around the globe to address critical health issues, including a landmark agreement on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response. This agreement, initiated by WHO member states, marks a major milestone in global health diplomacy.
The result of three years of intensive negotiations led by the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body, which includes all WHO Member States, the Pandemic Agreement is a rare and significant initiative aimed at preventing the kind of global suffering witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is the second proposal to be submitted under Article 19 of the WHO Constitution, which allows member states to establish binding agreements on global health.
The Assembly will also review the 2026–2027 program budget, aligned with WHO's 14th General Program of Work and its global health strategy for 2025–2028.
Key issues on the agenda include the elimination of cervical cancer, lung and kidney health, rare diseases, diagnostic imaging capacity, skin conditions, traditional medicine, lead exposure, health financing, and antimicrobial resistance.
This year's session comes at a pivotal moment, as countries navigate emerging health threats and major shifts in the global health and development landscape.
In total, 45 official events are scheduled, including a high-level donors' meeting, a ministerial roundtable on data and sustainable financing, and numerous side events hosted by member states.
Ahead of the main session, Mr. Tehraoui attended several side meetings during the weekend, including a high-level ministerial session on health financing in Africa, as well as the 27th Francophone Health Meetings, which focused on healthcare human resources under the theme "No Health Without Talent."
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Ya Biladi
30-07-2025
- Ya Biladi
Morocco proposes international fund to tackle Africa's food insecurity
Is it still appropriate to speak of progress when, in 2024, 670 million people worldwide are undernourished? This staggering figure, drawn from the latest joint report by the FAO, WHO, and WFP, hints at a slight global improvement but masks stark regional inequalities. In Africa, the situation is deteriorating. The continent alone is home to 307 million people suffering from chronic undernourishment, making up over 20% of its population. This percentage has been on the rise for several years. Africa's vulnerability is primarily due to the fact that in many countries, more than half of the food supply is imported. This, as Lorine Azoulai from CCFD-Terre Solidaire explains, «hinders their ability to develop local production». She adds, «To glimpse any prospects, they must emancipate themselves at least somewhat from international markets». A minor disruption in global markets, a drought, or a war can cause the entire system to collapse. Speculation, geopolitical tensions, and climate change offer no respite. Regional Disparities The same grim reality is evident in certain parts of the Middle East. In Syria, nearly 40% of the population lacks sufficient food, one of the highest rates globally. In Palestine, starvation is wielded as a weapon of war against civilians. The WHO reports a «peak in deaths in July». While the UN report may not detail this acute crisis, the shadow of the enclave looms over every discussion. Forecasts are equally alarming: by 2030, 512 million people could be living with chronic undernourishment, with nearly 60% of them in Africa. A Response from Africa, for Africa Against this backdrop, Morocco proposed a clear initiative on Monday, July 28, in Addis Ababa: the creation of an international fund dedicated exclusively to African food security. Rabat sees this as a crucial lever to bolster the continent's food sovereignty, as outlined by Ahmed El Bouari, Moroccan Minister of Agriculture, during the second review of the United Nations Food Systems Summit (UNFSS+4). In light of dwindling development aid, particularly following the abrupt cessation of the USAID program that supported 45 million people, this fund aims to be a response from Africa, designed for Africa. The minister underscored the importance of responsible financing, equitable access to food, and inclusive governance. He argued that it is no longer enough to adapt agricultural systems to the climate; there must be a profound transformation in the logic of food supply chains. Morocco claims to have experienced this transformation with its Generation Green 2020–2030 strategy, which combines human investment, ecological transition, and social justice. With this proposal, Morocco aims to put the right to food at the forefront of international discussions. The challenge is not just to feed people but to restore countries' ability to determine their agriculture and future. A collective response is essential. The Kingdom is indeed banking on South-South cooperation, already in motion through royal initiatives like the Adaptation of African Agriculture. Moreover, Morocco advocates for a reimagined multilateral solidarity, one less reliant on major Western donors and more grounded in regional realities. The Forgotten Faces of Hunger Hunger has faces, and they are often the same. Women, children, and isolated rural families are the hardest hit. In some regions, an entire generation is growing up with empty stomachs. In 2023, over 30% of women aged 15 to 49 suffered from anemia, and the gap with men continues to widen. «Hunger and malnutrition are political», economist Raj Patel reminds us. «There is no other way to explain why women are more affected than men», he adds. And yet, there is an explanation. Hunger is not only political; it is also social and deeply linked to imposed roles, as the NGO Action Against Hunger highlights. In some regions, women cannot own land or access resources without a man's approval. Their work—collecting water, feeding the family, caring for children and the elderly, cooking, and tending to the sick—is invisible, domestic, and daily, yet neither remunerated nor recognized. When tensions rise, they bear the brunt of the violence, sometimes forced to trade their dignity for a bit of food. However, alternatives are emerging. In Nigeria, the Porridge Moms program enables mothers to cook together, learn, and most importantly, regain control over what they eat. In Kenya, gardens near wells reduce dependency. Elsewhere, women become business leaders through simple access to tools. Fighting hunger also means empowering women to feed themselves and others. The good news is that the continent will be in the spotlight this fall. The G20, COP30 in Brazil (November 10 – November 21, 2025), the World Committee for Food Security... There will be no shortage of platforms. But the African voice must be strong, clear, and driven by well-defined priorities.
Ya Biladi
18-07-2025
- Ya Biladi
Moroccan doctor shares harrowing experiences from humanitarian mission in Gaza Strip
You just returned from the Gaza Strip after a humanitarian mission. How was your initiative organized? I took the initiative myself. I submitted a request to the Moroccan Coordination of Doctors for Palestine to join a humanitarian mission in the Gaza Strip. This volunteer-based organization enables medical professionals to participate in international missions, whether under the auspices of UN organizations like the WHO or through other NGOs. How was the work organized on-site, given the extreme lack of resources due to limited humanitarian aid? Along with colleagues from several countries, I was assigned to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. We joined teams of Palestinian doctors already working on-site. There were seven of us in total, and as an ear, nose and throat doctor (ENT), I worked as part of a multidisciplinary team including cardiology, traumatology, neurosurgery, urology, general surgery, and internal medicine. Our team included doctors from Morocco, Jordan, the U.S., Germany, and France. Medical specialties were allocated to emergency units, while surgical teams were deployed to operating rooms. Our mission coincided with an especially difficult period, marked by intensified Israeli strikes and ground operations in Gaza. We dealt with nonstop emergencies, including severely injured rescue workers, and provided daily consultations. What did the cases you treated reveal about the scale of the massacre? At the time of our mission, Nasser Hospital was the only fully operational hospital in the southern Gaza Strip. The European Hospital had been forced to shut down due to the occupation, and only the private Kuwaiti Hospital remained active. Most of the cases we treated were emergency cases. In ENT, I saw many patients with cervical trauma from gunshot wounds and maxillofacial fractures, dozens of similar cases. Beyond those, some patients had temple perforations from explosions, others had developed fistulas, abscesses, or serious infections due to the lack of aseptic conditions. What cases impacted you the most as a surgeon working in a war zone? The cases that marked me most were gunshot wounds. I vividly remember a patient shot in the eye, the bullet lodged in his neck. We managed to remove it, but he lost vision in one eye. Another patient had been shot again, this time the bullet pierced his larynx, hypopharynx, and spine. We operated and managed to save the ENT structures, but he was left quadriplegic. He can now only move his head. I also recall a case involving a patient shot in the back. Strangely, the bullet ended up in his nasal cavity, an anatomically rare trajectory we couldn't find documented in medical references. Thankfully, his ENT structures weren't affected. What kind of international aid is needed based on what you witnessed? The people of Gaza need everything. They are incredibly dignified, but they've lost everything, starting with medical infrastructure and supplies. From what I observed at Nasser Hospital, equipment is lacking, but teams do their best with what they have. What's urgently needed is a steady supply of basic medical items, compresses, gloves, Betadine, sterilization products. We mustn't underestimate the pressure this one hospital faces, it covers the needs of nearly 700,000 people living in nearby camps. According to the figures we were given, it serves almost a million people. If international aid is to be effective, we need to establish field hospitals, send more medical missions with full equipment and supplies, provide infant food, child vaccines, and a reliable supply of medicines. Due to shortages, even our prescriptions had to be limited. Equally important is providing hygiene products to prevent a deterioration in sanitary conditions that would trigger widespread infections. Has the Moroccan Ministry of Health responded to calls from the Coordination of Doctors for Palestine? As far as I know, there has been no official response from the Ministry to the letters sent by the Coordination. From my experience, it seems all preparations were made directly with international organizations. There was no guidance or assistance from the Ministry. I handled everything on my own, contacting the coordination, arranging my travel, and joining the mission team. The return was also done individually. I sincerely hope the Ministry steps in to support these missions, helping expand their impact so they benefit Gaza's civilian population more effectively. Greater institutional support would allow the mobilization of more medical personnel—doctors, nurses, aides, and technicians. Many Moroccan doctors who return from Gaza say they'll never forget the resilience and dignity of the people. What will you remember most? I saw women, children, and civilians who had nothing to do with the conflict living in unimaginable conditions, hunger, disease, displacement, and instability. Mothers have lost their homes, their families, and risk their lives daily to feed their children. The stories we heard and the things we saw are heartbreaking, beyond anything you can imagine without witnessing it firsthand. I'm now a direct witness, and I can say the images shown to the world don't even come close to reflecting the cruelty that people there face every day. We saw people with absolutely nothing, yet the world seems indifferent. But we are all made of the same substance, breathing the same air, loving life the same way. This indifference is alarming. It tells us that if this happened somewhere else, no one might come to help. One day, it could even be me, it could be anyone. History repeats itself, and unless we revive our core human values, nothing will unite us. The people of Gaza are holding up a mirror to the international community, revealing its selfishness. I hope the world hears their cry before it's too late.
Morocco World
16-07-2025
- Morocco World
China Seeks to Expand Multisectoral Cooperation with Morocco as Gateway to Africa
Rabat – China is eyeing a broader multisectoral partnership with Morocco and expanding its reach across Africa. Gong Zheng, mayor of the municipal People's Government of Shanghai, conveyed his country's ambition on Tuesday in Rabat during a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the deployment of the first Chinese medical teams to Morocco. During the event, the Chinese mayor emphasized the importance of cooperation between the two countries at all levels, including within the medical sector. He said that the Chinese medical teams have worked alongside their Moroccan counterparts to contribute to developing Morocco's healthcare system over the past five decades. He also said the experience contributed to boosting lasting ties of friendship and cooperation, hailing the growth and momentum in relations between China and African countries, which stems from President Xi Jinping's pledge to elevate these ties. For his part, Minister of Health Amine Tahraoui said that Morocco and China share a common vision for African development at all levels, including investment and technical cooperation, among others. He said that Morocco and China aspire to develop triangular cooperation with African countries, not only in health but also in other key sectors. Morocco is well-positioned to actively contribute to initiatives aimed at strengthening health systems, medical training, local pharmaceutical production, and expanding healthcare coverage across the continent, Tahraoui said. The Moroccan health minister emphasized how the Morocco-China partnership extends into fields like digital health, AI in medical care, training, biomedical research, and integrative traditional medicine. Morocco and China are tied with several joint initiatives, including the Bright Journey, a campaign targeting eye diseases, as well as the establishment of a traditional Chinese medicine center in Mohammedia. China donated medical equipment to Morocco during COVID-10, and has also trained Moroccan professionals in Chinese hospitals. In terms of economy, trade between the two countries increased by 50% between 2021 and 2022, reaching $7.6 billion. This makes China Morocco's third-largest trading partner and its top economic ally in Asia. China also injected $56 million into key sectors like transport, energy, and real estate. Mehdi Laraki, president of the Morocco-China Business Council, said in March 2024 that Morocco receives nearly 40 Chinese delegations annually, with China seeing the North African country not only as a standalone market but also as a gateway to Africa and Europe. Tags: China and Moroccorelations between China and Morocco
