Statement by the United States on WHO Executive Board Membership

World Health Organization WHA Agenda item 6: Executive Board Election

Geneva, Switzerland

The United States has had the honor of serving on the WHO Executive Board for the last year.

The United States affirms the important role of the Executive Board in leading the governance of the WHO and advancing global public health. With these responsibilities, we note that members of the Executive Board are expected to uphold universal values and respect human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Unfortunately, we have grave concerns that the Government of one of the new Board members, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, does not share these values. The DPRK’s appalling record of human rights violations and abuses has been regularly documented by UN bodies as well as widely condemned by the international community, and its continued development of its weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs violates multiple UN Security Council resolutions.

The United States takes this opportunity to reinforce the expectation of members of the Executive Board and calls on the Government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to respect human rights, fulfill its obligations under United Nations Security Council resolutions, and engage in serious and sustained diplomacy.

The United States requests that this statement be included in the report of the official record of the plenary meeting.

Thank you, Chair.