Health system development is a key to effective detection, response, and control of any outbreak.

The WHO is the lead agency in health in the United Nations system, and clearly we have very important functions to play.

This change to a higher phase of alert is a signal to governments, to ministries of health and other ministries, to the pharmaceutical industry and the business community that certain actions now should be undertaken with increased urgency.

Pandemic influenza is by nature an international issue; it requires an international solution.

Antimicrobial resistance is on the rise in Europe and elsewhere in the world. We are losing our first-line antimicrobials. Replacement treatments are more costly, more toxic, need much longer durations of treatment, and may require treatment in intensive care units.

Geneva is a city where the living conditions and hospitality provided by both the population and authorities of Geneva - at all levels - are exemplary and greatly facilitate the work and daily life of WHO employees.

Tobacco is the only industry that produces products to make huge profits and at the same time damage the health and kill their consumers.