Georgia elected to WHO Executive Board

Georgia has been elected to the Executive Board of the World Health Organization during the 79th World Health Assembly, the Ministry of Health has announced.

Georgia will be represented on the board by First Deputy Health Minister Irakli Sasania, the ministry press office said on Wednesday.

The Executive Board is one of the World Health Organization's principal governing bodies and plays a key role in shaping global health policy, setting priorities and overseeing the implementation of decisions adopted by the World Health Assembly.

The ministry said membership of the board will give Georgia the opportunity to participate directly in strategic decision-making on global health issues and contribute to the development of the international health agenda.

Sasania described Georgia's election as both a significant recognition of the country's role in international health affairs and a major responsibility.

The nomination followed a secret ballot at the 75th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe in Copenhagen, where representatives of the organisation's 53 member states selected Georgia and the United Kingdom as candidates for seats on the Executive Board.

The final approval process was completed during the ongoing World Health Assembly in Geneva, formally confirming Georgia's membership.

According to the Health Ministry, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was also actively involved in supporting Georgia's candidacy.

The WHO Executive Board consists of 34 members elected for three-year terms. Its responsibilities include implementing decisions of the World Health Assembly, providing policy guidance and helping to coordinate the global health agenda.