The 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) opened Monday in Geneva, Switzerland, under the theme "One World for Health."
Addressing the opening ceremony, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said unprecedented challenges are facing global public health, calling on countries to strengthen cooperation and drive reforms in healthcare systems worldwide.
Tedros highlighted the issue of financial shortfall confronting the organization, projecting a budget deficit of 1.7 billion U.S. dollars over the next two years, which he said will pose a significant challenge to fulfilling its global health mandate.
Tedros pointed out that global health security requires the joint efforts of all countries and only through unity and cooperation can a safer and fairer world be established.
The WHO remains committed to advancing global health equity, ensuring that everyone enjoys the right to health, he said.
This year's assembly runs through May 27. It will address about 75 items and sub-items, covering topics including health emergency preparedness and response, financing and budgeting, WHO governance reform, and other pressing global health issues.
The World Health Assembly is the WHO's decision-making body. Attended by delegations from all 194 WHO member states, it brings together high-level country representatives and other stakeholders to address global health challenges.
78th World Health Assembly opens in Geneva
78th World Health Assembly opens in Geneva
The 139th China Import and Export Fair, or Canton Fair, continues to host "Trade Bridge" buyer-supplier matchmaking events, designed to better address the core needs of both parties while facilitating two-way trade.
Among the international attendees is Ilirjan Koneshlini, a buyer from Albania who has participated in seven consecutive editions of the Canton Fair since 2023. In addition to exploring the exhibition halls, Koneshlini has focused much of his energy on attending the officially organized "Trade Bridge" matchmaking events.
Over the past three years, he has established partnerships with seven Chinese suppliers through various trade promotion events. At the current edition of the Canton Fair, he has already reached preliminary cooperation agreements with three additional Chinese suppliers.
"I have seen matchmaking as a very important event. They would like to align their economic interests and strategic interests, so that happens very well during the matchmaking. It has been quite a help for my businesses," he said.
To further enhance the effectiveness of these matchmaking efforts, the 139th Canton Fair has upgraded the procurement service area for leading enterprises. For the first time, the fair has introduced a reservation-only exclusive negotiation zone, where buyers and suppliers can reserve negotiation spaces free of charge, enjoying a more comfortable and private environment for discussions.
The current edition of the Canton Fair runs from April 15 till May 5 in Guangzhou City, south China's Guangdong Province in three phases, each highlighting categories from advanced manufacturing to home living and lifestyle products. Covering 1.55 million square meters, the fair features 75,700 booths and more than 32,000 enterprises, including about 3,900 first-time exhibitors. Phase Two opened on Thursday with a focus on showcasing home-living products.
Established in 1957, the Canton Fair is held twice a year in Guangzhou. It is the longest-running comprehensive international trade event in China and has been hailed as a barometer of China's foreign trade.
Canton Fair continues 'Trade Bridge' matchmaking events
