The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Commonwealth Secretariat today agreed to renew their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for four years, reaffirming their shared commitment to improving health and well-being across the Commonwealth’s 56 member countries, and strengthening collaboration to address pressing global health challenges.
The MoU was signed by the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Hon Shirley Botchwey, and the WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The renewed partnership reflects a shared vision to support Commonwealth member countries to build stronger, more resilient and more equitable health systems. Under the renewed MoU, the two organisations will deepen their cooperation in four priority areas:
- advance primary health care and essential health system capacities for universal health coverage, including through innovation and digital health solutions;
- address health determinants and the root causes of ill health in key policies across sectors;
- improve health service coverage and financial protection to address health inequities and gender inequalities; and
- respond to climate change by building climate-resilient and sustainable health systems.
As countries confront an unprecedented convergence of health emergencies, climate impacts, and persistent inequalities, the renewed partnership underscores the importance of coordinated international action to strengthen national health systems.
“This strategic partnership between WHO and the Commonwealth Secretariat has a dual purpose: to strengthen health systems for the long term while helping countries respond to urgent health threats,” said Dr Tedros. “By combining WHO’s technical expertise with the Commonwealth’s unique ability to convene leaders and drive collective action, we will be able to better support countries to protect health, advance universal health coverage, and build resilience for future generations.”
The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon Shirley Botchwey said: “The renewal of this Memorandum of Understanding reflects our determination to turn shared ambition into practical results for the people of the Commonwealth. Our Commonwealth Strategic Plan places partnerships at the heart of delivery, recognising that no institution can meet today’s complex health and development challenges alone. Together, we can help build a healthier, more prosperous Commonwealth for all.”
Building on their first MoU, signed in 2022, the two organizations will continue to collaborate through:
- high-level advocacy on the identified health priorities, including multi-stakeholder dialogues;
- promoting evidence-based policies and strategies, leveraging WHO’s technical guidance and norms and standards; and
- promoting health in the most vulnerable countries, including Small States, and among the most vulnerable groups, with a focus on reducing inequalities.
This renewed partnership underscores the Commonwealth Secretariat’s and WHO’s longstanding commitment to promoting the health and well-being of all people.
