A draft resolution presented by the UAE was unanimously approved by the World Health Assembly (WHA) at the assembly’s 75th session, which took place in Geneva from May 21–28, 2022.
The WHA, which functions under the auspices of the World Health Organization (WHO), has passed the first draught resolution of its type. It focuses on enhancing quality of life.
The historic accomplishment shows that the UAE has in fact grown to be a more active and prominent nation than ever before, with rising global strategic leverage.
The resolution received the support of every WHO delegate present at the meeting.
The participating countries praised the UAE and its leadership for successfully drafting the first-of-its-kind resolution, debating it with stakeholders to reach a consensus, and securing its approval.
The new achievement is proof of the UAE’s enormous efforts to improve the quality of life for its citizens and establish the UAE as the happiest country on world. With this resolution, the world will be made aware of the UAE’s experience in this area.
The Minister of Health and Prevention, Abdul Rahman bin Mohammad bin Nasser Al Owais, applauded the President, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and Their Highnesses the Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates on the historic achievement.
“This is undoubtedly a great accomplishment that makes us feel grateful and proud to be part of the UAE and exemplifies the civilised principles upon which the nation was founded to secure a better present and a bright future for everybody,” Al Owais said.
“Additionally, it is a global acknowledgement that will only amplify our efforts to promote global collaboration and improve people’s quality of life. The resolution is a legitimate, formal way for us to tell the world’s governments about our exceptional experience with quality of life.”
The Minister stated that the UAE has become an essential partner in several worldwide initiatives and strategies. “The UAE’s strong presence and distinguished international position would not have been feasible had it not been for the wise directives of our leadership, which has always been ready to support the global policies aimed at building a brighter future for mankind,” he said.
“The UAE’s successive achievements are undoubtedly the outcome of the forward-thinking vision adopted by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who prioritised improving the quality of life in the UAE and across the world. This well-thought-out approach is being followed by our wise leaders today, who are determined to build an innovative health sector that keeps pace with the radical changes taking place in the world. Driven by clear objectives and strong resolve, the UAE will begin its new journey towards the next 50 years to write another success story,” Al Owais added.
For his part, Dr. Mohammed Salim Al Olama, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Prevention, stressed that the adoption of the UAE’s resolution is no mean feat and culminates the dynamic vision of the country’s leadership. It also showcases the UAE’s excellent diplomatic efforts.
“The UAE’s proposal provides for the setting up of a comprehensive framework for promoting the quality of life and well-being of individuals and societies in various countries in consultation with member states,” Al Olama said, adding that this will help achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (2030).
He lauded the crucial role that Emirati diplomacy had played in the proposal’s development, which involved extensive consultation with a number of nations to arrive at a consensus version before being adopted.
“This achievement will undoubtedly strengthen the UAE’s soft power, improve the country’s reputation throughout the world, and underline its civilised image, identity, and distinct culture,” Al Olama said.
Dr. Hussain Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Public Health Sector, emphasised that the proposal approved by the WHA constitutes a quality addition to the UAE’s efforts being made to augment the quality of life locally, regionally and internationally.
Al Rand added, “The UAE values and prioritises the happiness of its people, so it goes to great lengths to ensure prosperity, well-being, and stability for all who live on its soil. To achieve this goal, realise the National Wellbeing Strategy for 2031 and share the country’s experience with the world, the UAE submitted a draft resolution that calls on the Director-General of the World Health Organisation to prepare a quality-of-life framework to support member states that adopt this approach to reach the highest levels of health and well-being”.
He revealed that the resolution took nearly nine months to be prepared and discussed with other countries to identify key pillars that could enhance the quality of life.
Dr. Aisha Musabih, Director of the Quality of Life and Sustainable Development Department, said, ” The ministry of health aspires to achieve a number of strategic objectives, including enhancing the UAE’s key role in promoting people’s quality of life, which is why the resolution was prepared.”
Musabih added, “The draft resolution is the first of its kind in the world to suggest the development of a global framework for the quality of life, and soon, the UAE will start working with the World Health Organisation to prepare a draft of the framework, which will be discussed by the WHO six regions and will then be submitted to the Executive Council of the World Health Organisation for final approval”.