“We are the future.” That is what representatives of the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA) told me at #EMRC73 when I asked what they expect from the next WHO Director-General. They want young people not merely invited into the room, but genuinely involved in shaping policies and decisions. They also called for all regions to have an equal voice, and for young people to become part of countries’ formal delegations to WHO regional committees. I have long supported this approach. In the letter convening WHO/Europe’s Regional Committee, I encouraged Member States to include youth in their delegations. One of the first initiatives I launched as WHO Regional Director for Europe was #Youth4Health – to embed young people’s voices and perspectives across WHO/Europe’s work. IFMSA’s meetings ahead of the World Health Assembly already help young people build knowledge and skills. But preparation is not enough when travel costs limits who can participate. This gave me real food for thought. If we want to hear from young people in all their diversity, WHO and its Member States need to find practical ways to bring them into our discussions, regardless of their financial circumstances.

At #EMRC73 in Cairo, I met Ambassador Muhannad Al-Aklouk, Palestine’s 🇵🇸 Permanent Representative to the League of Arab States and head of delegation. Ambassador @Mohannad_Aklouk thanked European countries for supporting the medical evacuation of Palestinian patients from Gaza and greatly valued my proactive role in helping facilitate these efforts. He also welcomed my collaboration with @DrAbuelaish around the establishment of the Global Institute for the Study of Socio-endemic Diseases, Hatred, Health and Peace at @KU_Leuven. The Ambassador’s words took on added meaning today, when Armenia’s 🇦🇲 Health Minister @AnahitAvanesian informed me that three children with serious health conditions had been transferred from Gaza, through Jordan, to Armenia with their caregivers. My thanks to Armenia, Jordan, @WHO colleagues and everyone involved. This work must continue so that every patient needing treatment unavailable in Gaza can reach it, without cost or politics standing in the way.

#EMRC73 offered many opportunities to hear directly from countries and discuss the priorities in my manifesto. I met 🇪🇬 Egypt’s Acting Foreign Minister, as well as health ministers, senior officials and ambassadors from 🇮🇷 Iran, 🇯🇴 Jordan, 🇴🇲 Oman, 🇵🇰 Pakistan, 🇶🇦 Qatar, 🇸🇩 Sudan and 🇸🇾 Syria. However brief, each encounter allowed me to hear the questions that mattered most and explain what my vision for WHO would mean in practice for their countries and people. I value these brief exchanges because they test ideas against the realities countries face. I firmly believe that listening to Member States should always guide how WHO sets priorities and delivers support.