Health for all by all-pursuing multi-sectoral action on health for SDGs in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region.

The WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region is endowed with deep intellectual tradition, interesting cultural diversity, and a strong societal fabric; components of a vibrant platform for promoting health and wellbeing. Health has a central place in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for at least three reasons: Firstly, health is shaped by factors outside of the health sector. Secondly, health can be singled out among several SDGs as it provides a clear lens for examining the progress of the entire development process. Thirdly, in addition to being an outcome, health is also a contributor to achieving sustainable development. Realizing this central role of health in SDGs and the significance of collaboration among diverse sectors, the WHO is taking action. In its most recent General Program of Work 2019-2023 (GPW 13), the WHO has set a target of promoting the health of one billion more people by addressing social and other determinants of health through multi-sectoral collaboration. The WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean Region, through Vision 2023, aims at addressing these determinants by adopting an equity-driven, leaving no one behind approach. Advocating for Health in All Policies, multi-sectoral action, community engagement, and strategic partnerships are the cornerstone for this approach. The focus areas include addressing the social and economic determinants of health across the life course, especially maternal and child health, communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases, and injuries. The aspirations are noteworthy - however, recent work in progress in countries has also highlighted some areas for improvement. Joint work among different ministries and departments at country level is essential to achieve the agenda of sustainable development. For collaboration, not only the ministries and departments need to be engaged, but the partnerships with other stakeholders such as civil society and private sector are a necessity and not a choice to effectively pursue achievement of SDGs.

Promote health, keep the world safe, serve the vulnerable" in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (Editorial).

23 May 2018 will be remembered as an important day in the history of the World Health Organization (WHO) and global health. It was the day when the 194 Member States that constitute the World Health Assembly (WHA) - the highest decision-making body of WHO, making it effectively the global parliament for health - unanimously adopted the thirteenth general programme of work (GPW 13) for the Organization, covering the next five years (2019-2003). In its 70 years of existence, WHO has already seen 12 GPWs, but GPW 13 marks a new departure in many ways, heralding the Organization's entry into a new era of work with new ways of tackling the task of improving people's health and well-being across the globe.