Pretoria – In a significant diplomatic engagement, Ms. Shenaaz El-Halabi officially presented her credentials as the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative to South Africa to Hon. Deputy Minister Alvin Botes of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).

The ceremony, held at DIRCO headquarters in Pretoria, reaffirmed the strong and longstanding partnership between WHO and the Government of South Africa. During the engagement, both parties underscored the importance of strategic collaboration in addressing the country’s health challenges including the quadruple burden of disease (characterized by the simultaneous challenges of maternal, newborn, and child health issues, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, non-communicable diseases, and violence and injuries) advancing universal health coverage (UHC), and strengthening pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response (PPPR) systems.

Deputy Minister Botes welcomed Ms. El-Halabi on behalf of the South African Government and commended WHO’s leadership in guiding global health efforts aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He highlighted South Africa’s evolving priorities in areas such as school nutrition, social development, and the rising burden of obesity, and underlined the need for WHO’s continued support in leveraging research and technical expertise across these domains.

"We look forward to deepening our cooperation across strategic platforms, including engagements with basic education and social development,” said Deputy Minister Botes. “Your role is key in aligning with our comprehensive national development frameworks, particularly as we tackle South Africa’s unique health profile.” He reaffirmed South Africa’s ongoing support for WHO’s mission and expressed optimism for strengthened collaboration during Ms. El-Halabi’s tenure.

In her remarks, Ms. Shenaaz El-Halabi expressed sincere appreciation for the warm welcome, describing it as “an honour to serve in South Africa at such a pivotal time for global and national public health.” She acknowledged and commended South Africa’s leadership role on the global stage, particularly under its current G20 presidency and support in the WHO investment rounds and emphasized the country’s contributions to health innovation, vaccine manufacturing, and regional knowledge-sharing.

“South Africa plays a pivotal role in advancing and leading public health innovation and response across the continent,” she noted. “We are committed to working closely with national stakeholders to strengthen primary health care systems, reduce the HIV and TB burden, and expand equitable access to care ensuring no one is left behind”, she said.

Ms. El-Halabi also commended the country’s investments in maternal and child health, communicable and non-communicable disease control, and health system reforms, such as the implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI). She reaffirmed WHO’s technical and operational support in advancing national priorities, including the Close the Gap Campaign (with the objective of closing the treatment gap by putting an additional 1.1 million people who are living with HIV but are not on treatment by the end of December 2025) and the End TB Campaign (screening 5 million people).

The meeting concluded with both parties agreeing to maintain open channels of communication and regular briefing, to ensure that technical cooperation remains strategic, evidence-based, and aligned with South Africa’s development goals and the broader 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

In attendance were colleagues from WHO Mr Faridun Nazriev the external relations officer, Dr. Kibachio Mwangi in charge of NCDs and mental health, Mr. Jose Sambo Ambrosio, the protocol officer as well as Ms. Marian Roberts, communications officer) and from DIRCO, Ambassador Dave Malcomson, Chief Director for Social and Economic Development, Ms. Ziyanda Mhlauli, Parliamentary and Cabinet Liaison Officer; and Mr. Terence Tshisevhe, Global Health Desk.