Вступительное слово Регионального директора на Втором совещании инициативы малых стран в Андорре: реализация подхода, охватывающего все этапы жизни человека

Honourable Prime Minister Marti,

Minister of Health Ms Obiols,

Excellencies,

Distinguished delegates,

Ladies and gentlemen,

I am very pleased to address you today, for two main reasons.

First, I have great expectations from our meeting and from our discussions today and tomorrow. During these 2 days, we will share updated plans to work together within the framework of the small countries initiative. We can further clarify our priorities and agree on what we want to achieve during the next year. I am happy to meet all representatives and listen to your ideas. I am inspired by the presence of so many sectors: health, education, foreign affairs, environment, finance, social affairs, labour and employment, and housing.

This is a crucial project. Since the launch in San Marino last year, I have seen this project grow and gain more relevance: WHO Europe considers it a precious resource. You may recall that the San Marino Manifesto of last year was introduced to the Regional Committee and influenced policy developments in the European Region. I expect the same to happen this year. 

Secondly, I am very grateful to Andorra for hosting this event, which is the third high-level event to take place in Andorra in a short while. 

I still have very vivid memories of my visits here in in 2010 and March 2011.

In November 2010, Andorra hosted the Standing Committee of the Regional Committee. Then, Dr Joseph Casals, Director-General of Health, became Chair of the SCRC in 2010-11 and subsequently Executive President of the Regional Committee in 2011, thus greatly influencing European regional developments. Between 2103 and 2016, Andorra will be the member of the influential Executive Board of WHO and thus has a unique opportunity to influence global health developments. A small country with a big influence: congratulations! 

In March 2011, Andorra hosted a pan-European high-level policy forum, where we established the foundations of Health 2020 – the WHO European policy framework for health and well-being, which we use as a constant reference and inspiration for the work we do and plan. It is also an inspiration for the European countries when they are updating their national health policies. In March 2011, we came to Andorra specifically to discuss how best to proceed with the development and subsequently the implementation of Health 2020 in every European state.

Back then, Health 2020 was a new, courageous step, a brave, bold move, and we were all anxious and curious to see the benefits of this work. And here we are again; it is now 2015. Health 2020 has become an active, core part of the policy-making of all WHO European Member States, and the hopes and expectations we had back in 2011 have become realities, while the doubts we had at the time somehow vanished. All Member States have shown incredible enthusiasm in embracing the principles of Health 2020.

We are making progress on every front: health has become an even higher priority and an integral part of sustainable development in the post-2015 agenda. Health outcomes and life expectancy continue to increase in our region. Premature mortality is gradually decreasing, and the gaps in equity in health are slowly decreasing. But there is still a lot to be done, and the key strategic directions of Health 2020 are therefore more relevant than ever before.

Andorra will yet again provide us with an opportunity to discuss the way forward in our precious small countries project and to agree on the next steps. I am convinced that Andorra will again inspire us, and the excellent facilities and the atmosphere that prevails are the perfect setting. Already, the high-level representation of so many sectors – seven in total – is a milestone achievement.

It is with this positive, energetic mind-set that I thank once again the Andorran Government, Prime Minister Marti and Minister of Health, Maria Rosa, for hosting us here today, and I thank all of you for being here today.

The outcome document of our meeting "The Andorra Statement" will be presented to our Regional Committee in September as well as to the European Ministerial Conference on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Throughout the Life Course.

I wish the proceedings of our second meeting of small countries every success, and I am looking forward to what we will share during our day in Andorra.

There is so much that we will discuss and learn together. I feel honoured to be here with you today.