U.S. Statement on World Health Assembly Agenda Item 14
As delivered by
Mark Cassayre, Chargé d’affaires, ad interim
Geneva, May 22, 2019
The United States believes the draft decision on item 14 fails to meet our shared objective of a World Health Assembly focused purely on public health — one that refrains from singling out countries on a political basis. As we have made clear, neither this Assembly nor any Assembly in the future should accept a standing item that singles out one country for criticism and ill will year after year. Furthermore, this decision, if passed, will fall short in its attempt to improve the health of Palestinians. The United States cannot let this decision pass without objection. We oppose its adoption, and support Israel’s call for a vote.