Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

The World Health Organization itself is an important partner in the Indo-Pacific, and I want to acknowledge its work in our region. What COVID-19, however, has shown is there is a need to strengthen and to reform the WHO. As a member of the WHO Executive Board, Australia has consistently advocated for the importance of principled collective action from the international community. I have discussed this work with the Director-General of the WHO, Dr Tedros, on a number of occasions and stated clearly that Australia will remain a constructive and pragmatic contributor to these efforts. Last month Australia joined the G7 and the Republic of Korea in calling for the strengthening and reform of the WHO to ensure that, with the continued strong support and involvement of its member states and the international community, it remains fit for evolving challenges.