The Executive Board of the World Health Organization (WHO) selected Morocco on Friday in Geneva to chair the WHO Commission on Social Connection.
Morocco’s Minister of Health and Social Protection Khaled Ait Taleb has been tapped to lead the commission.
Morocco’s nomination reflects the Kingdom’s efforts to promote social justice through the establishment of a social protection system aimed at preserving human dignity, with particular emphasis on strengthening family ties, said Morocco’s Ministry of Health and Social Protection in a statement on Saturday.
The selection of Morocco to chair the body within the WHO came during the 154th session of the organization’s Executive Board, which took place from January 22-27 in Switzerland.
This was part of a joint announcement highlighting the importance of social determinants of public health and the launch of the Social Determinants of Health Committee under the organization.
Morocco, the United States, and Japan, as members of the WHO Executive Board and its Social Determinants of Health Committee, emphasized the importance of social determinants for the health and well-being of individuals and communities, the Ministry stated.
The three countries described the body’s role in raising awareness and accelerating the expansion of evidence-based solutions in countries with differing levels of economic development, with a particular focus on vulnerable and marginalized populations.
They also called on WHO members and the global community to collaborate in enhancing social determinants as a priority, and to realize the committee’s vision of “a world in which everyone enjoys quality social determinants that benefit their health and well-being.”
The Social Determinants of Health Committee aims to promote social communication as a priority of global health and exchange promising action to establish a global program on social determinants and social communication, according to the statement. This includes raising awareness and building cooperation to promote evidence-based solutions for the benefit of countries, local communities, and individuals.
Ait Taleb took part in the opening meeting of the Commissioners of the World Health Organization’s Social Connection Committee held from December 5-8, 2023, in Bellagio, Italy.