Croatia is resolute in its commitment to building a healthier, safer and more resilient world

Sustainable funding of the WHO is not a technical issue but a strategic imperative, Prime Minister Plenković emphasized today in Geneva before the World Health Organization Assembly. Investing in health is not a cost, it is a strategic investment in our shared security, stability and progress, he added, emphasizing that strong and resilient health systems are the cornerstone on which all other achievements are built. "Let us join forces to build a future in which every person in every part of the world has access to the care they need and deserve," he said, recalling the words of Dr. Andrija Štampar that the issue of public health and work on its progress should be everyone's task.

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković participated in the opening of the 78th World Health Organization (WHO) Assembly in Geneva today.
 
WHO members adopted today a historic agreement on preparedness for future pandemics. The pact ensures that medicines, therapies and vaccines are globally available when the next pandemic strikes. It also requires manufacturers participating in the agreement to donate 20 percent of their vaccines, drugs and tests to the WHO during the pandemic to ensure that poorer countries also have access.
 
In his speech before the assembly, Prime Minister Plenković pointed out that the World Health Organization has been a beacon of hope and guardian of the human right to health for more than 75 years and is dedicated to ensuring that all people, regardless of where they live and the circumstances they face, can achieve the highest health standards.
 
Today, in a world of growing insecurities and inequalities, it is our shared responsibility to preserve and strengthen the central role of the World Health Organization as the leading authority on global health, he said.
 
In this context, he particularly highlighted the role of that organization and its leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic.
 
Prime Minister Plenković said that these latest challenges should be used as an opportunity for further institutional strengthening and long-term resilience of the WHO.
 
Our shared commitment to the concept of one world for health has never been more important, he emphasized.
 
Dr Štapmar's legacy a cornerstone of modern public health
 
"I am proud that this shared vision continues to build on the legacy of the distinguished Croat, Dr. Andrija Štapmar, one of the founders of WHO and the first President of the World Health Assembly," said the Prime Minister.
 
His legacy is not only a source of national pride, he added, but also a cornerstone of modern public health. His pioneering work laid the foundation for access to public and affordable health care.
 
He recalled that Dr Štapmar was among the first to emphasize health as a fundamental human right, linking it to social justice, education and economic development.
 
He promoted his ideas far beyond the borders of his homeland, traveling the world as an expert for the League of Nations. From 1933 to 1936, during his mission to China, he helped organize public health services and witnessed first-hand the universality of health challenges.
 
These global experiences shaped his belief that health is a shared human concern that transcends geographical boundaries, politics, or culture. He believed deeply in the power of public health education, strong primary care, and international cooperation as essential tools for building healthier societies. His vision still echoes in the constitution of WHO.
 
Following Dr. Štampar's principles, Croatia has built a strong national health system, founded on equity and accessibility, said Prime Minister Plenković.
 
"As we continue with historic investments in domestic healthcare, we remain a strong advocate for global health security," he added.
 
Better preparedness, prevention and response to future health challenges
 
Our active support for the WHO pandemic agreement reflects our commitment to better preparedness, prevention and response to future health challenges, stressed Prime Minister Plenković.
 
"Croatia is resolute in its commitment to building a safer and more resilient world," he said.
 
Our engagement goes beyond agreements, he added, and Croatia deeply believes in the transformative potential of the Sustainable Development Goals and the 14th General Program of Work. These frameworks are not just aspirational, but offer a practical and strategic path towards a healthier future and equality.
 
We are particularly proud that Croatia is currently in 8th place on the global scale of implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and that it is making steady progress in health-related goals, said the Prime Minister.
 
"We remain committed to a true partnership because in an interconnected world, only solidarity ensures resilience and progress," he stressed.
 
In recent years, Croatia has played a proactive role in strengthening preparedness for health emergencies, and at last year's assembly, our initiative led to the adoption of the first resolution on strengthening preparedness for health emergencies resulting from natural disasters.
 
This milestone underlines our deep commitment to patient safety, the resilience of health systems and the protection of the most vulnerable, he added.
 
Only coordinated global action can offer lasting solutions
 
In his speech, the Prime Minister advocated for a unique approach that includes a health framework, reducing the consequences of disasters and strong primary care. Such a unique approach is crucial in a world of increasingly frequent crises, be it pandemics or natural disasters linked to climate change.
 
Croatia led the consultation process on the resolution for strengthening and support for the health workforce and the development of the Action Plan for health workers. This reflects our long-term commitment to strengthening capacity, education and support for those who have dedicated their lives to preserving public health, Prime Minister Plenković said, adding that Croatia is committed to the global expansion of the WHO Academy.
 
Strengthening global healthcare begins with strengthening those who provide it, he said.
 
"Recent crises have taught us key lessons. We must remain aware of the diverse and comprehensive nature of health threats, whether caused by human activities, emerging risks or natural phenomena. In a world of interconnected risks, only coordinated global action can bring about lasting solutions," he said.
 
Croatia remains fully committed to working with all partners to address these challenges, protect the most vulnerable and uphold the principle of universal access to equitable health care.
 
Sustainable fiunding of WHO is a strategic imperative and a functional necessity
 
In this context, the Prime Minister emphasized that sustainable funding of the WHO is not a technical issue but a strategic imperative. A financially stable WHO is not only a symbol of shared commitment but also a functional necessity.
 
Sufficient, reliable and long-term funding is essential for WHO to effectively lead, coordinate and meet its global health goals in timely responses to emergencies and providing assistance where it is most needed.
 
Investing in healthcare is not an expense, it is a strategic investment in our common security, stability and progress, emphasized the Prime Minister, saying that strong and resilient healthcare systems are the cornerstone on which all other achievements are built.
 
"Guided by the Sustainable Development Goals and the 14th General Program of Work, let's join forces to build a future where every person in every part of the world has access to the care they need and deserve," he said. He recalled the words of Dr Štampar that the issue of public health and work on its progress should be everyone's task.
 
Let this permanent principle continue to guide the mission of the World Health Organization, and Croatia, for its part, will remain a dedicated and active partner in this joint journey towards a healthier and fairer world, he concluded.
 
Ivan Kožarić's sculpture at WHO Headquarters

Today, at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, a sculpture titled Shape of Space by Ivan Kožarić was unveiled, dedicated to Dr Štampar and all healthcare workers around the world.

This sculpture, a gift from the Croatian government, will stand as a permanent tribute to the shared dedication to public health and international solidarity, said the prime minister.

Croatian scientists have significantly contributed to CERN's experiments

Prime Minister Plenković also visited CERN, with which Croatia has been cooperating for over three decades. Croatia actively participates in key CERN experiments through five institutions and more than 50 scientists, while over 120 Croatian teachers and dozens of students take part in CERN's educational programmes.

In recent years, Croatian scientists have significantly contributed to CERN's experiments such as CMS and ALICE, and our industry has been involved in the construction of detectors, said Plenković.

The impact of this collaboration and the studies emerging from CERN has had significant positive effects on Croatian science and the business sector, and we are also proud that interest from Croatian companies in participating in CERN's projects is continuously growing, said Prime Minister Plenković.

According to him, massive investments will soon follow, with the existing 27-kilometre accelerator being complemented by a new 90-kilometre one, stretching almost all the way to the lake below Geneva. This is a fascinating and important project for science and nuclear research.

Plenković at the WTO and IOM

The prime minister also visited the World Trade Organization (WTO), where he met with Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former Nigerian finance minister. The main topic of discussion was WTO reform, particularly with regard to global issues such as tariffs and non-tariff barriers, with Croatia as an EU member negotiating through the European Commission with the US.

I believe that by the deadline, when the application of higher tariffs is suspended, a solution will be found that will benefit both the US and the EU, he said, adding that Croatia's exports to the US make up only 2% of the total Croatian exports. We believe that the efforts we are making at the national level, as well as at the European level, will protect our exporters and those who are placing their products on the American market, he added.

The last meeting in Geneva was with Amy Pope, Director-General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), where they discussed the organisation's global activities on migration, particularly in preventing illegal migration and structuring legal migration to meet the needs of the labour market.

News