On 28 November, Jemina Holmberg, senior programme manager ICS and Leadership, hosted a roundtable discussion with Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) on Health, Multilateralism, and Norm-Based Leadership in Times of Turbulence. Participants included senior officials in the government offices, health institutions, civil society and research institutes located in Sweden.
The discussion focused on the importance of principled, norm-based leadership and the challenge of balancing moral responsibility and scientific integrity against geopolitical pressure. A recurring theme was the impact of funding cuts to the UN overall, and to the WHO in particular, highlighting the need for greater financial independence to safeguard adherence to the UN Charter. Participants also explored how Swedish actors can contribute to strengthening the WHO’s normative role.
Finally, the adoption of the Pandemic Agreement at the World Health Assembly in May was highlighted as a historic milestone, demonstrating that countries can still find common ground for a common purpose in an increasingly fragmented and polarised world.
Read the summary of the discussion here.