Chair,

I have the honour of speaking on behalf of the European Union and its 27 Member States.

The EU and its Member States welcome the Expert Advisory Group (EAG) report on the WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel, which represents a significant step forward in promoting ethical, sustainable, and equitable practices in global health workforce management.

We agree with the EAG’s assessment on the implementation and impact of the Code, highlighting both achievements and ongoing challenges in the recruitment of healthcare professionals across borders and that international cooperation is essential to address these challenges effectively.

We also recognize the legitimate needs of healthcare systems in recruiting countries as well as the obligation to protect the health systems of source countries, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

We welcome the recommendations of the EAG on the relevance of the Code as a cornerstone for ethical international recruitment.

We agree that greater engagement with professional associations, health institutions, and international organizations is needed to align recruitment practices with global standards and human rights obligations.

The EU calls for sustained investments in education, innovation, training, and retention in line with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Strategy on Human Resources for Health: Workforce 2030. Initiatives such as the WHO Academy are vital in equipping health workers with the skills needed to deliver high-quality care.

The EU and its Member States support the adoption of the relevant decision point and wish to thank Thailand, the Philippines and Germany for its preparation. We stand ready to engage in Member-State led consultations on the adoption of a decision or resolution to be considered at the 79th session of the World Health Assembly focusing on the EAG recommendations, including those for additional text to be included in the Code. It is important to have focused consultations that will safeguard the integrity of the Code.

Thank you.