Ethiopia’s new WHO top post ‘deserved win,’ says Egypt FM

CAIRO – 24 May 2017: Egypt extended greetings to former Ethiopian Foreign Minister Tedros Adhanom after he assumed the position of the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), according to a Wednesday Foreign Ministry statement.

Adhanom’s new post marks a deserved win for Ethiopia and Africa, the statement said, adding it represents further evidence of the capability of the African people to hold senior posts in all international organization.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry “bestows greetings on the Ethiopian government and people on this great important occasion,” the statement continued.

The ministry emphasized that Egypt was at the forefront of countries supporting the nomination of Adhanom’s as the Director-General of WHO, and that it is looking forward to cooperating with the new official to achieve WHO's objectives and to face the challenges of improving health care globally.

Of eight directors, Adhanom is the first African to hold the prestigious after he garnered the majority of votes from 186 member states.

The new Director-General promised during his speech to the WHO Assembly shortly before the vote that he would respond to future emergencies "rapidly and effectively."