Belgium and the World Health Organization have moved to sharpen and expand their cooperation at a time when global health systems are under strain from conflict, pandemic risks, biological threats and widening inequities in access to care. In a three-day strategic dialogue, the two sides reviewed the progress of their longstanding partnership and agreed to further boost collaboration on universal health coverage, health-systems strengthening and equitable access to essential vaccines, medicines and health technologies.
The Belgian delegation was headed by H.E. Christophe Payot, Ambassador of Belgium to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva. The talks brought together Belgian officials and WHO leadership and technical experts from headquarters as well as the regional offices for Africa and Europe, reflecting the breadth of the partnership and the range of issues now shaping global health diplomacy.
According to the account of the meeting, the discussions focused on strategic priorities and on how to align WHO's directions with Belgium's development cooperation agenda in a global health landscape that is changing rapidly. The partners also exchanged updates on Belgium's support for global health areas that were highlighted during the Belgian presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2024, signaling that Brussels is seeking continuity between its European leadership role and its international development commitments.
Mr Koen Van Acoleyen, Minister Counselor at the Permanent Representation of Belgium to the UN, said the dialogue had given Belgian officials a clearer view of the pressures facing the UN health agency. "After listening to the leaders and experts of WHO we now better understand how they are navigating these challenging times," he said. "We are honoured that we can walk this road together."
A major part of the talks centered on accelerating equitable access to vaccines, medicines and health technologies, an issue that has become even more urgent after the COVID-19 pandemic exposed deep gaps between countries with strong purchasing power and those without. The two sides reviewed the current status and the most visible results of the Access to Medicines programme funded by Belgium. WHO presented its work and challenges through a country-level example from Senegal, while also explaining its policies on equitable access and local production.
Both parties recognized that the long-term sustainability of the initiative depends on market shaping, a term that in practice refers to efforts to make essential products more affordable, available and reliably supplied over time. That emphasis suggests the partnership is moving beyond short-term funding toward structural solutions that can support manufacturing, procurement and access in lower-income settings.
The dialogue also addressed health emergencies and the global architecture for prevention, preparedness, response and resilience. WHO outlined its role in the ongoing pandemic agreement negotiations and in advancing the One Health approach, which links human, animal and environmental health in order to better detect and contain emerging threats. The agency's field response work was illustrated through its activities in Gaza, where health services have been devastated by conflict and humanitarian need remains acute.
The talks further touched on the acceleration of biological risks and zoonoses, underscoring the growing concern that outbreaks may emerge more frequently and spread more quickly without stronger surveillance, coordination and risk mitigation. WHO's engagement in these areas was presented as part of a broader effort to reduce the likelihood that local health shocks become international crises.
Universal health coverage formed another central pillar of the dialogue. The participants reviewed progress made under the UHC-Partnership and the results achieved with Belgium's support between 2021 and 2024 in partner countries. They also explored the way forward, including the possibility of closer alignment between WHO country office programmes and Belgium's bilateral cooperation at country level.
The Democratic Republic of Congo was cited as one example of the work and challenges seen on the ground, illustrating how health-system strengthening must often contend with limited infrastructure, workforce shortages and complex humanitarian conditions. The visitors also heard a recap of WHO's policies and work on mental health within primary health care, a reminder that universal coverage is not limited to hospitals and medicines but must include integrated support for psychological well-being.
Other areas reviewed included Neglected Tropical Diseases and Sexual, Reproductive Health and Rights, both of which remain highly sensitive and evidence-driven fields in global health policy. The review underlined the importance of basing action on data, implementation experience and local realities rather than broad commitments alone.
WHO said it appreciates Belgium's commitment and engagement, noting the participation of representatives from the federal government as well as the Flemish and Walloon governments. That multi-level involvement suggests Belgium's support for WHO is not confined to one political layer, but reflects a broader national consensus on the value of multilateral health cooperation.
For WHO, the dialogue comes at a moment when the agency is trying to sustain support for its core mandate while navigating a crowded agenda of emergencies, reform and negotiations over future pandemic rules. For Belgium, the meeting reaffirmed a role as a steady and technically engaged partner in global health, with a focus on practical delivery as much as policy alignment. The outcome points to a partnership that is not only being maintained, but actively recalibrated for a more volatile era in international health.