WHO, ex-Hong Kong leader CY Leung’s charity pledge to boost health ties
WHO chief praises GX Foundation for focusing on practical solutions as both sides target vector-borne diseases
A UN agency and a charity established by former Hong Kong leader Leung Chun-ying have agreed to strengthen collaboration on public health projects, following talks in Switzerland.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the World Health Organization, met GX Foundation chairman Leung and CEO Emily Chan Ying-yang in Geneva, the charity said in a social media post on Tuesday.
“Both parties held in-depth discussions [on Monday] on the various medical and public health projects GX is implementing within its 10 project countries across four continents,” GX said.
“They agreed to strengthen future collaboration in different areas, including dengue fever prevention and control.”
It added that Leung, also a vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, the country’s top political advisory body, expressed “sincere gratitude” to the WHO for recognising and supporting the charity’s work.
Ghebreyesus said in an online post that he looked forward to working with GX on shared health priorities, including eliminating vector-borne diseases.
“I was impressed by the foundation’s focus on practical solutions tailored to the local health needs of the countries where it operates, building local capacities for long-term results and strengthening community engagement, which is critical to achieving disease elimination,” he said.