| 27 Septembre 2018
26 SEPTEMBER, 2018 ¦ NEW YORK: The World Health Organization (WHO) has today appointed philanthropist, humanitarian and health advocate Ray Chambers as its Ambassador for Global Strategy.
This new role is designed to support WHO’s work to mobilize the international community to advance the global health agenda, including achieving global health targets set out in the Sustainable Development Goals.
“It is an honor to support the World Health Organization’s mission to ensure everyone in the world, no matter where they come from, how much they earn or what their age and gender may be, can lead the healthiest life possible,” says Mr Chambers. “This requires action and engagement from many partners, led by governments, to prioritize public health by advancing universal health coverage to ensure health for all.”
Mr Chambers previously served as the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Health in Agenda 2030 and for Malaria. Prior to 2016, he held the role of UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Financing the Health Millennium Development Goals, working with multiple funding partners to support international efforts to deliver health care and monitor the impact of such efforts.
Through his ambassadorship with WHO, Mr Chambers will be raising awareness about the role played by WHO to promote health, serve the vulnerable and keep the world safe.
A key area of activity for Mr Chambers will be to advocate for the mobilizing of resources to meet global health targets, working closely with governments, donors and the private sector.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, welcomed the appointment of Mr Chambers as an ambassador for the Organization.
“Ray Chambers is a giant of public health who understands as well as anyone the critical need to prioritize the health and wellbeing of all people on the planet,” says Dr Tedros. “Through Ray’s support as Ambassador for Global Strategy, WHO will be able to play an even stronger role in advocating among key decision makers to take all steps needed to ensure a healthier, more sustainable world for all.”
Mr Chambers, a renowned champion for malaria control, will also be an advocate for WHO’s efforts to protect 1 billion more people within the next five years from health emergencies, one of the pillars of the Organization’s 2009-2013 strategic plan, the Thirteenth General Programme of Work (GPW13).