Acceptance speech for Order of Saint Agatha during audience with the Captains Regent

Excellencies, Honourable Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is an honour to be with you here today. Once again, San Marino confirms its role as a great partner for WHO Europe. A key factor unites us: vision – the vision we share, with Health 2020 as our main reference and guide.

I strongly believe that, in terms of its vision, San Marino has a long, proven, outstanding record.

First, San Marino is the oldest democracy in the world – a fact that is impressive to everyone and which I learnt during the visit of UN Secretary General Ban ki Moon to San Marino in April 2013. This speaks louder than words about the foundations of this country and the principles that its institutions uphold.

Secondly – and this I experienced personally in the WHO Europe small countries initiative - San Marino holds a record in terms of leadership. The partnership created between San Marino and the WHO Venice office launched a crucial project – bringing together eight countries with populations of less than 1 million, to share knowledge and best practice, enabling them to establish a platform, a new form of cooperation and a new channel to improve and innovate health policies and policies.

The pioneering small countries initiative was launched here in San Marino, in July 2014. The first high-level meeting of the small countries was the occasion for me to come to San Marino for the first time. It is a pleasure to be back – especially as the initial steps of the project launched here have since advanced a long way.

Last month marked a new milestone for the project: the second high-level meeting, which took place in Andorra, with very fruitful discussions. Once again, San Marino was there, with an impressive delegation, confirming the added value it can bring in terms of content, participation and international experience.

Thirdly, San Marino holds a record in equity and intersectoral action. I am visiting San Marino today to receive the honour of this high award, but I am also here to celebrate San Marino's excellence in governance for health. The National Health Plan you have approved and will implement is a source of inspiration for many other WHO Member States and – I am sure – for the other seven small countries. The way San Marino has managed to harmonize its policies with the Health 2020 vision is truly impressive. The National Health Plan is a testimony to the fact that real, historic change requires all sides to join forces, interact, cooperate and plan together for the future. WHO can only commend that. I am proud to remind everyone here today of the publication we have devoted to San Marino to document the process that led to its National Health Plan, entitled 'A Roadmap to implementing Health 2020 – the experience of San Marino '.

In a way, you should truly think of this WHO official report as the most important award – and it is an award that goes to all of us and that acts as a symbol of all the records I have listed so far: democracy, leadership and equity.

In view of this – once again: many thanks to San Marino for the privilege of being here today.

It is a special moment for me and I feel honoured to receive this important award – the Order of Saint Agatha – the patron saint of the Republic of San Marino. I have done some research about Saint Agatha and learned that she was venerated due to her steadfast profession of her faith – despite facing torture and imprisonment. Among Saint Agatha's many patronages, there are several linked to health – She is the Patron Saint of nurses, breast cancer victims, victims of sexual violence and torture. All are relevant in these modern times. 

This medal and title I am receiving today is therefore an important symbol of the road WHO and San Marino have travelled together.

Professionally – this award is especially meaningful to me as it embodies how the work I carry out as WHO Europe Regional Director can bring me to the very heart of policy making for health – namely, that with steadfast conviction we can and must achieve great things even in the face of obstacles and adversity.

Let us all strive to embody the spirit of your Patron Saint, Saint Agatha, with unwavering faith and determination to achieve even better health outcomes for all.

Thank you for this special partnership we share. 

Thank you for your friendship.