Building Bridges: Maldives enhances capacity in Global Health Diplomacy

WHO Maldives in collaboration with Planning and International Health Relations (PIIR) Division of Ministry of Health, recently concluded a successful training on Global Health Diplomacy. Held from 21-24 April 2025, the event was supported by the International Health Policy Program Foundation (IHPP) of Thailand.

​Globally, Maldives plays a pivotal role within WHO and among Small Island Developing States (SIDS) by championing health resilience, digital innovation, and climate adaptation; serving as a global leader in advancing sustainable health systems tailored to the unique challenges faced by island nations.

The training, attended by 40 participants, aimed to build critical capacities in global health diplomacy, equipping delegates from the Maldives with essential international skills such as strategic understanding, negotiation, effective coordination, and targeted intervention in global health discussions. The initiative was especially significant as it strengthened the participants' ability to bridge technical program expertise with high-level policy decisions, preparing them to effectively engage and influence key international forums, including the forthcoming 78th Session of the World Health Assembly.

Historically, the Ministry of Health has consistently engaged in various international workshops, seminars, and governance-level meetings. Reflecting on past experiences, the recent training emphasized strengthening practical diplomatic competencies among participants, including negotiation tactics, effective advocacy, and strategic communication skills.

Sessions explored essential topics such as the principles and practice of health diplomacy, the global health landscape, negotiation techniques, and approaches to tackling global health challenges through diplomatic means. Participants underscored the value of the training in helping them understand the interplay between public health, international relations, law, economics, and human rights.

During his remarks, WHO Maldives Medical Officer Dr Padmal de Silva acknowledged IHPP's valuable contribution, highlighting the Foundation’s longstanding commitment to supporting health diplomacy capacity-building in the Maldives, with a similar successful training conducted previously in 2017. Given regular staff rotations and changes at senior policy levels, this refresher training was deemed critical.

State Minister of Health Ms Khadheeja Abdul Samad highlighted the importance of the training and expressed appreciation for WHO's valuable support throughout the past six decades of collaboration with the Government of Maldives. She further emphasized the Government's dedication to keeping health as a central priority in international dialogues, ultimately improving the well-being of citizens and making meaningful contributions to global health progress.

Health diplomacy remains integral to addressing complex health issues such as pandemics, antimicrobial resistance, and climate change impacts, and WHO continues to play a central and committed role guiding member states in setting health agendas, developing international health standards, and advocating health priorities globally.

This article is first published at WHO Maldives website on Building Bridges: Maldives enhances capacity in Global Health Diplomacy

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