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2
risks to health in the Mediterranean. Subsequently it extended its reach to become a global centre addressing a number of programmes and activities.
In view of the growing collaboration between WHO and Tunisia, it was agreed that we should open a WHO Representative’s Office and this took place in January 2005. We are pleased and proud today to inaugurate the new WHO premises in Tunisia, which will house not only the Representative’s Office and the WHO Mediterranean Centre but will also be a hub that will serve the entire Organization. It will provide a well equipped office space and infrastructure to implement any activity in Tunisia with low cost and easy accessibility.
Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
The experience of establishing permanent offices for WHO in the Eastern Mediterranean Region is not new. We have been very successful in doing so in several countries of the Region, including Afghanistan, Pakistan and Sudan. At the end of the year, we expect to inaugurate a new building in Amman, Jordan to house the WHO Representative’s Office as well as the regional Centre for Environmental Health Activities. This approach has proved to be cost- efficient and has helped significantly in strengthening and expanding WHO’s collaboration with Member States. Maintaining permanent presence in countries represents a clear commitment by WHO to support national, regional and global public health. Our presence in countries facilitates the important dialogue on health and development with local partners, provides a means for country experiences to be shared and exchanged, and ensures that priority programmes, such as health system development, tobacco control and maternal and newborn care to mention a few, are progressing.
In Tunisia, this new premises will meet the demands and expectations of an ever changing landscape in public health. It is more than mere office space. It is a place where leaders and managers can debate public health agendas; where technicians can learn and refresh their skills;
and equally important it is a symbol for health, a place where we create more awareness of emerging risks and threats to vulnerable communities.
With the provision of this opportunity to WHO, let me remark on the commitment of the Government of Tunisia, which goes beyond words and beyond substantial financial contribution. Through the leadership of His Excellency the Minister of Health, and with the
3
vision of His Excellency the President of Tunisia, this building symbolizes the vision, commitment and perseverance of the Government of Tunisia in taking forward a global public health agenda for its people. It will benefit all those who will have the privilege of using its spaces and facilities.
Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Before concluding, I would like to express my appreciation and thanks to all those who have worked so diligently to put these premises in place. To name but a few, Engineer Tahar Bouzouita, Engineer Mustapha Ben Janet and his Consultative Engineering Firm, and the Contractor Mr Habib M Barek, in Tunisia; and from WHO, the contributing staff at the three levels of the Organization: Mr Jamel Ben Slama, Mr Mohamed Bibi, Mr Ahmed Said, Mr Abdel Fattah Emam, Mr Mohamed El Sheikh, and last but not least Dr Samir Benyahmed, Mr Altaf Musani and our representative Dr Ibrahim Abdel Rahim.
Finally, I would like to thank all of you who are joining us today in this ceremony.
Let us join together in praying to God that this facility becomes a platform and a hub for activities which promote health in this country and beyond.
