WHO director general's opening remarks at WHO 75th anniversary concert at Victoria Hall

In his opening speech at a concert to mark the 75th anniversary of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Geneva, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus remarked on the achievements of WHO since its founding in 1948 in the aftermath of World War II, including the eradication of diseases such as smallpox and polio and the formal recognition of health as a fundamental human right for all people. He also acknowledged the many challenges faced and those that are ongoing, which the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated so powerfully. He closed by highlighting the power of the arts for health and wellbeing, and for building vibrant communities and societies, noting also the establishment of the Jameel Arts & Health Lab in this regard, WHO's first ever arts and health laboratory. Co-led by Christopher Bailey, the lab aims to amplify scientific research into the impacts of the arts on health and wellbeing to promote the integration of the arts into mainstream healthcare.