Telephone Talk between Prime Minister Kishida and WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom
May 19, 2022
[Provisional translation]
On May 19, commencing at 4:10 p.m. for approximately 25 minutes, Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, had a telephone talk with H.E. Dr. Tedros Adhanom, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), on the initiative of Dr. Tedros.
1. Prime Minister Kishida and Director-General Tedros exchanged views on a wide range of topics, including COVID-19 response and the strengthening of the WHO's sustainable financing, in view of the upcoming World Health Assembly to be held from May 22. They confirmed to further strengthen cooperation between Japan and the WHO in addressing various challenges. Prime Minister Kishida expressed support for Dr. Tedros with regard to the election of the next WHO Director-General at the upcoming World Health Assembly,.
2. In response, Director-General Tedros stated that Japan's efforts to promote Universal Health Coverage (UHC) are beneficial both for the measures against the COVID-19 and towards the post-COVID-19 era, and expressed his hope for continued cooperation to strengthen preparedness and response for future health crises, with a view to achieving UHC. Both sides also concurred to set up a Task Force to materialize the establishment of a WHO UHC center in Japan.
2. In response, Director-General Tedros stated that Japan's efforts to promote Universal Health Coverage (UHC) are beneficial both for the measures against the COVID-19 and towards the post-COVID-19 era, and expressed his hope for continued cooperation to strengthen preparedness and response for future health crises, with a view to achieving UHC. Both sides also concurred to set up a Task Force to materialize the establishment of a WHO UHC center in Japan.