The Commonwealth Secretariat and the World Health Organization (WHO) have renewed their partnership for another four years, strengthening cooperation to improve health systems and advance universal health coverage across the Commonwealth’s 56 member countries.
The renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed today by Commonwealth Secretary-General, Shirley Botchwey, and WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The agreement builds on the organisations’ first MoU, signed in 2022, and sets out areas for deeper collaboration on emerging and persistent health challenges.
The renewed partnership comes as countries continue to face interconnected pressures from health emergencies, climate change and inequalities, placing greater emphasis on stronger and more resilient national health systems.
Under the agreement, the Commonwealth Secretariat and WHO will focus on four key areas: strengthening primary health care and essential health services, including through digital health and innovation; addressing the wider factors that contribute to poor health; improving access to health services and financial protection while tackling health and gender inequalities; and supporting health systems to respond to climate change.
Commenting on the renewed agreement, Dr Tedros underscored that the partnership would combine WHO’s technical expertise with the Commonwealth Secretariat’s ability to bring governments and other stakeholders together.
“This strategic partnership between WHO and the Commonwealth Secretariat has a dual purpose: to strengthen health systems for the long term while helping countries respond to urgent health threats,” he said.
He added that the collaboration would support countries in protecting health, advancing universal health coverage and strengthening resilience for future generations.
For the Commonwealth, Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey stated that the renewal was intended to translate the two organisations’ shared goals into practical outcomes for people across member countries.
“The renewal of this Memorandum of Understanding reflects our determination to turn shared ambition into practical results for the people of the Commonwealth,” she said.
She noted that the Commonwealth Strategic Plan places partnerships at the centre of implementation, recognising the need for institutions to work together in addressing complex health and development challenges.
The two organisations will also continue high-level advocacy and multi-stakeholder dialogues on agreed health priorities, promote evidence-based health policies using WHO’s technical guidance and standards, and support health in vulnerable countries and communities, including Small States.
The renewed agreement builds on cooperation established under the 2022 MoU, which covered areas including the COVID-19 response, vaccine equity, universal health coverage, digital health and global health security.
Through the renewed partnership, the Commonwealth Secretariat and WHO aim to strengthen coordinated action among member countries and support efforts to make health systems more equitable, sustainable and better prepared for future health challenges.
Story by
Hussein Habibata Maltiti
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